Surviving the Holidays
Yvelette Stines

As we are beginning the holiday season there is excitement, stress, and for some individuals pure loneliness. Many of you are traveling or visiting with relativities that you have not seen for a long time others maybe expecting guests. Regardless, this is a time where your schedule naturally increases along with your stress level, eating, and lack of rest. The following is a quick guide to help you survive the holidays.

Keep a schedule: Shopping, preparing for company, and travel is on you agenda in addition to your everyday tasks. It is inevitable during this time that your schedule will be disrupted, it is essential to make a task list with priorities first. If you have a project to complete for work, finish up as much as you can early, so if an extra errand or a past due favor for a friend comes up, you will not be stressed or pinched for time.

Eat Healthy: We all tend to indulge in some guilty eating pleasure during the holidays. It is important to maintain your healthy eating regime as much as possible. If you are planning a long day of errands pack a healthy snack of fruits and vegetables to eat throughout the day so you won’t overindulge at the mall’s food court or restaurants. We are all tempted this time of year when it comes to desserts, it is best to indulge in moderation.

Exercise: Exercise has many health benefits. Although it may be difficult to keep up your regular health routine during this time of year, make the most out of your errands. If you are in the mall, hold your shopping bags in both hands and speed up your walk for ten minutes. If you are standing in a long line, use your bags as weights as you rise up on the balls of your feet, try three sets of ten. At holiday parties don’t be too shy to dance, it is great fun and a wonderful way to burn calories. Even though these are mild alternatives to working out, try your best to keep up your normal workout routine, it will help release stress, minimize and eliminate weight gain.

Budget: The holidays are within a two month span every
year, don't break the bank. During the season keep a
budget and maintain restraint when it comes to excess
spending. If you need help with your budget, ask a
financially responsible friend for help. Remember, the
holidays have a deeper meaning than gifts. It is
illogical to spend 2007 paying off bills from the
holidays of 2006.

Your Time: After all the shopping, last minute
projects, and company you are most likely wondering
what else is there to do? This is a wonderful time to
treat yourself to whatever makes you happy. Remember,
there is no happiness without self happiness.

Have a wonderful holiday season.

Yvelette Stines, M.Ed, M.S., is a writer and literary producer. You can reach her at www.yvelettestines.com or stinesym@yahoo.com.

TAKE THE TIME TO VIEW SOME OF THE PICS TO THE PARTY OF THE STARS!!!!

Radio One Star Studded 25th Anniversary Celebration in Washington DC!

Underground Atlanta prepares for the sweetest music renaissance



An iconic sound revolution, Sugarhill open its doors Fall 2006


Atlanta, Ga (PR Web) September 2006 - Embodying the spirit of the cotton club, the essence of the juke joint, and the arousing concert feel, Sugarhill Lounge fills the void of live sound and entertainment on the Atlanta nightlife scene. Christening the progressive music movement, Sugarhill is set to open their doors September 29, 2006 featuring hip-hop great, Talib Kweli.



Enter into a lounge where the walls are painted with melody, the ceilings drenched in vocals, the seating filled with bass, a bar that serves percussion, and a menu that offers pure talent for breakfast, lunch and dinner. With an appreciation for blue light specials, jam sessions, intimate concerts, and musical history in the making, Sugarhill migrates from the streets of Harlem, New York right to the heart of Atlanta, Georgia. Replacing Billy Holiday with the sensual octaves of R&B sensation JOI, Duke Ellington with Atlanta's most paramount musicians, and the juke box with arguably some of Atlanta's most advanced stage, sound, and lighting inside the perimeter, Sugarhill aims to be a fix for the music addicts of the city and a cure for the lackluster venue scene.



Conceptualized and opened by Atlanta's very own resident renaissance man, Jason Carter (founder of Sol-Fusion), Sugarhill aims to be pure sensory gratification. Reawakening the "New" Undergound, Sugarhill boasts a breath taking, high-gloss, mahogany wood finished entrance, an interior filled with beautiful earth tones that provide the perfect backdrop to uncontaminated performance, a monumental 35 foot stage, two distinct levels of entertainment, 2 Sugar Sweet bars, unlimited parking, and a curfew that surpasses anything heard of in downtown Atlanta – 4:00 am. From small shows to international headliners, this mixed –use facility caters to the genres of soul, hip hop, alternative, funk, and rock and aims to woo the city's top notch promoters in efforts to keep the venue filled with assorted events and vibes needed to jolt the mundane Atlanta nightlife.



Founded upon the premise of uniting history with modern approach, Sugarhill is the perfect blend of artistic balance. "I was raised in Harlem and the term Sugarhill was always interconnected with progressive, affluent and trend setting people, Sugarhill will serve as a home to these individuals. The term also has a juke joint feel with an posh appeal, the venue will embody this not only in design but in mind-set", stated Jason Carter, co-founder of Sugarhill. Join Jason Carter, Mc Donalds, Heineken, as they present The Grand Opening featuring Talib Kweli, September 29, 2006. The quickest way to get there…. take the A Train! For more information visit www.SugarHillatl.com





Media Contact:

The Garner Circle PR





Upcoming Events:

Tuesdays - jam session hosted by JOI, Billy Odum, Little John, Zooman and some of the best musicians in Atlanta



Sundays – Sugarhill features an exclusive industry night. Remember Colbalt? That VIBE is back!



Join Sugarhill mailing list to stay abreast of upcoming events, shows, and concerts

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The Hip Hop Publicist at Bolt.

The most exciting feature of your birthday is receiving presents from your love ones. On September 5, Beyonce receive a “B’day” preset that she would never forget. For most RnB soul singers a mere 541,000 copies sold in the first week is literally consider to be a form of success but for Beyonce Knowles this can be considered a true disappointment for everyone involved.

Beyonce’s lackluster sales is said to be attributed to the reports of her recording this album in only two weeks. You don’t have to be an executive in the entertainment industry to know that you can’t build a successful album in only two weeks time.

According to AJC’s Sonia Murray, the album is hard to grasp.

“Listening to the album was hard to find one or two quality songs, said Murray of the AJC.”

Beyonce’ owes her fans more then what she displayed in this album. The fans of Ms. B’Day are some of the most, liberated, bossy women in America. She can do better for the fans.

This album should have really been distributed before the last album. From album to album, artists are supposed to grow but with this album Beyonce’ has taken a step back-digressed.

What happen to the elegance, the graceful nature and the sheer model-type style that she possesses? This sudden evolution has changed in everything, most importantly her music.

B’day is one to hold off on before visiting your local music store.

It's not easy being a best kept secret, especially for an artist who is constantly mind traveling and has so much to say. It has to be just as hard when one of hip-hop's greatest and most respected MC's tells one of the most powerful record


executives in the world that the talents of the person he's representing are similar to his own five years ago. That's exactly what retired rap legend and current President of Def Jam Records, Jay-Z, told then Arista Records CEO L.A. Reid in a meeting back in 2002 about wunderkind Lupe Fiasco.

The 23 year-old Chicago native, who has been highly regarded and coveted by many top-level executives and industry insiders for the past three years, has remained relatively unknown in the public eye. Until now. With the release of his Atlantic Records debut, FOOD & LIQUOR, Lupe Fiasco is sure to take the entire music industry by storm.

Raised on Chicago's Westside as the youngest boy of nine brothers, Lupe (born Wasalu Muhammad Jaco) is an eclectic soul with varied interests; something that was developed from the upbringing of both of his parents. Lupe's parents made sure he was exposed to anything and everything that was in their environment, which he credits as a major influence as a person and as an artist.

'My father was a real prolific African drummer and can play anything from the Djiembe's to the bagpipes. My mom is a gourmet chef that has traveled the world. We were always around different cultures. It is because of these artistic experiences [that] there are no limitations to what I talk about on my record.'

There are also no limitations to Lupe's skill and ability as an MC. He has the drive to explore artistic region beyond your comfort zone and the desire to break boundaries, all the while having the edge and street credibility to resonate with the purist and the thug, suburbia and the streets, all in one. Rapping since the eighth grade, Lupe began taking the craft seriously when he was 17 years old, inspired by other MC's and groups such as Twista, Nas, Crucial Conflict, Spice 1, Eightball and Psycho Drama. Lupe followed this love, and at the age of 19, his group Da Pak landed their first major record deal under Epic Records. The set-up of the four-man group was 'similar to Boyz N Hood,' according to Lupe. Unfortunately, the group disbanded soon after releasing their first single.

Unfazed and determined, Lupe and his manager/business partner Chill moved ahead. At one point, the rapper planned to sign with Roc-a-Fella Records. 'That's when I first met Jay,' recalls Lupe. 'The situation fell through, but we always stayed in contact because he respected my partner and me as a fellow rapper. He did [a lot] to help me boost my career.' Lupe then signed with Arista Records, but once again his career was halted, this time because Arista head L.A. Reid was relieved from his post. After being thrown around labels, luck finally struck when a former Arista A&R rep and manager of the Notorious B.I.G., Mark Pitts, brought Lupe to the attention of Atlantic Records CEO Craig Kallman. Atlantic proved to be a perfect fit.

'The title reflects on me being Muslim and being from the streets,' says Lupe about FOOD & LIQUOR. 'In Chicago, instead having bodegas like in New York, the majority of the corner stores are called 'Food and Liquors.' The store is where everything is at, whether it be the wine-o hanging by the store, or us as kids going back and forth to the store to buy something. The 'Food' is the good part and the 'Liquors' is the bad part. I try to balance out both parts of me.'

Laced with 14-tracks of complex, thought-provoking and playful lyricism coupled with sure-fire beats, FOOD & LIQUOR will be distributed by Atlantic through Lupe's company, 1st & 15th Productions, and will feature production by the likes of Nottz, Needles, the Buchanans, Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park, not to mention 1st & 15th producers Soundtrakk and Pro. The song that is sure to help thrust Lupe from underground phenom to mainstream success is the album's lead single that is dedicated to the art of skateboarding, 'Kick, Push,' produced by Soundtrakk. 'It's a skateboarding song. I used to skateboard when I was younger. I was really into it. I never really knew that skateboarding was so deep as a culture. It's just as deep as hip-hop. I'm not the greatest skateboarder, but I'm a damn good rapper, so I made a damn good skateboarding song.'

Many artists have albums that aim to reach a diverse audience, but Lupe is a living embodiment of the word. Lupe is a devout Muslim and a deep thinker who listens to jazz. But he's also a young man who loves the ladies and likes to chill with his crew. The continued success of hip-hop depends on individuals who combine the streets with intelligence with strong radio airplay. And with Lupe Fiasco, rap has found another favorite son. '[When I retire], I want to step away on positive note.' says Lupe. 'What you put out into the world comes back to you. You actually change the world with what you do. I want to put some good in the world.'

Atlanta, GA Sep 15, 2006 Born Buffie Carruth, but universally known as “Buffie the Body,” her voluptuous stature made her an overnight celebrity upon the premiere of G-Unit member Tony Yayo’s “So Seductive” video, in which she appeared as the lead model. A true-to-life urban Cinderella story, since then Buffie, originally from Athens, Georgia, has become one of the most sought after hip hop models and party hosts in the music industry. With her schedule booked every weekend, she consistently travels across the U.S. and abroad to host and make special guest appearances at A-list parties and industry events. Having been a featured model in the Fall ad campaign for the Azzure Company, founded in 1999 as a denim line fueled by urban enthusiasm and European Style, one might say that Buffie has taken it up a notch. But with brains, beauty, personality and determination, Buffie has it all.

Speak to Buffie about new and upcoming projects, including:

* Her Larger Than Life DVD Executive Produced by DJ Kay Slay!
* Her 2007 Calendar!
* Her affiliation with Azzure Denim!
* Her new acting career!
* . . . . and more!

For more information, visit www.buffiethebody.com or www.myspace.com/buffiethebodydotcom

A Motivational Minute by Mr. James Thomas

Speak It!! When we speak, we are actually giving birth to the things that will take place in our lives. Negative words produce negative things, positive words will produce positive things. In the beginning everything that God did, he spoke it in to exeistence. We need to learn to do the same. Change your circumstances by speaking into existence the changes you want in your life. (www.empowermentradio.net)

About Coozan Communications Corp.

Founded by first cousins, Paula Goins and Kristen Wright in 2006, Coozan Communications Corp., is a full-service Public Relations company focusing on editorial, exposure, cross promotion and business development. Coozan which means cousin in the Creole language, defines the strong family ties the two bear to their rich Louisiana Creole heritage. Having worked in the industry in many areas including magazine publication, journalism, event planning, PR, and event promotion, Goins and Wright decided to make their years of collaborating on various projects official with the inception of Coozan Communications. Together they bring almost 20 years of experience.

Booking Buffie

To have Buffie host or just show up at your Premiere Event, Star or make a cameo in your video or movie, featured in your magazine or on your website, Hit Us Up! Her Booking Agent is standing by! Sponsorship opportunities available for the 2007 Buffie the Body calendar!
Website: http://www.buffiethebody.com

When most inhabitants think about commitment and marriage, the perfect times that you share with the one you love, the one person in the world that can truly make your heart melt. How would you feel if your particular love one was not at home much or started to fade away for the reason being her job? Most people could not handle that.

This topic has been talked bout for months on in now but has been lately the talk of most coffee-shop discussions these days is, “Are career women good wives?”

Most of my female friends would tell me I was crazy for even writing this piece because how controversial this topic has become. I know that a lot of career women are very far beyond the capabilities of juggling multiple tasks; the question turns out to be really, Can that woman truly give you a quality relationship we call a MARRIAGE?

Writer Michael Noer of FORBES MAGAZINE gives us a great platform and a justifiable reason why women may not be the best wives … I firmly believe that a career women does have issues with time and other significant things that would make a marriage fail.

Aman can compromise but when does enough become enough. When do the late night meetings stop? When do home –cook meals start? You can’t always spend time with your mate in the wee hours of the morning.

When the work turns off and the relationship does turn on, who is that convienet for, more then likely the female? Not to mention the complex of women making more money in the household. Women are now making more money in some households and that is having a tremendous effect on marriages. This discussion is not to be confused to have you believe that men like submissive women but we want to see more humility in marriages where women and men are making well over 45,000 per year working together.

We must understand that it takes a lot to get married, go through marriage and stick it out in a marriage. Studies show that women are more likely to bail on relationship over her career these days. What does that say about our families in the future?

This epidemic that is being displayed is going to affect our families more then it is now.
50% of all marriages fail. Over half of these marriages consist of women that do not even want to have kids. Yes I am going to say it again; more then half of the marriages do not want to have kids. That is saying something about the selfishness of our career women today.

Career women are the best thing you can have in my opinion but the career women I am referring to have a true understanding of maintaining a solid household and upstanding values.

Women are the nucleus o a lot of successes in this country. A lot of what happen in this country has been done because of the assistance of a woman.

Marriage is a sacred thing. Marriage is about two unions that have come together to understand that we have a mutual feeling for each other and we will be there through thick and thin.

We have to wake up and look at what we are doing. Are women to blame or are men to blame. ? I think we both are to blame but when the average career women steps back and look at what they are doing we may have a grasp on why marriages fail with successful women.

TAKE A LOOK AT THE SPEACIAL PERFORMANCES BY THE AWESOME GOSPEL GROUP SOULACE

The beautiful Turks and Caicos Islands are situated 575 miles (or 75 minutes) southeast of Miami. Covering 193 square miles of the Atlantic Ocean, the Turks and Caicos Islands has the third largest coral reef system and the best tropical beaches in the world, making it a premier beach, diving and snorkelling destination and an ideal location for romance, family vacations, ecotourism and adventure seekers, which is probably why 60% of our visitors come back over and over again.

FEAST YOUR EYES ON THE RIDING DIRTY CAR SHOW PICS. THE CAR SHOW WAS AWESOME. FOR MY FIRST CAR SHOW EVER AND I BEEN IN THE SOUTH FOR MORE THEN 5 YEARS, THE CAR SHOW WAS AWESOME.. BIG UPS TO THE WORLD FAMOUS SUPERFRIENDS AND THE 1/3 OF THE F.C.C. CREW TAI BOOGIE.

ENJOY!!!!!!!!



I HAVE TO SAY A REALLY HAVE TO GIVE A BIG SHOUT OUT TO SAPTOSA FOSTER-135TH STREET AGENCY AND JEN FERRIS-ZDENNIS MARKETING!

MUCH LOVE FROM HI-PRIORITY PUBLICITY & MARKETING GROUP!

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Women can buy the morning-after pill without a prescription, the government declared Thursday, a major step that nevertheless failed to quell the politically charged debate over access to emergency contraception.

The manufacturer, lawmakers and other advocates said they will press the government to allow minors to purchase the pills over the counter.

The Food and Drug Administration said that women 18 and older -- and men purchasing for their partners -- may buy the Plan B pills without a doctor's note, but only from pharmacies.

Girls 17 and younger still will need a prescription to buy the pills, the FDA told manufacturer Barr Pharmaceuticals Inc., in ruling on an application filed in 2003.

Still at odds
The compromise decision is a partial victory for women's advocacy and medical groups, which say easier access could halve the nation's 3 million annual unplanned pregnancies.

"While we are glad to know the FDA finally ended its foot-dragging on this issue, Planned Parenthood is troubled by the scientifically baseless restriction imposed on teenagers. The U.S. has one of the highest rates of teen pregnancy in the Western world -- anything that makes it harder for teenagers to avoid unintended pregnancy is bad medicine and bad public policy," president Cecile Richards said.

Opponents contend that nonprescription availability could increase promiscuity and promote use of the pills by sexual predators.

"If the FDA thinks that enacting an age restriction will work, or that the drug company will enforce it ... then they are living in a dream world," said Wendy Wright, president of Concerned Women for America, who led the opposition.

Pregnancy risk reduced
Plan B contains a concentrated dose of the same drug found in many regular birth-control pills. Planned Parenthood estimates 41 other countries already allow women to buy emergency contraception without a prescription.

If a woman takes Plan B within 72 hours of unprotected sex, she can lower the risk of pregnancy by up to 89 percent. Plan B is different from the abortion pill: If a woman already is pregnant, Plan B has no effect.

The earlier the pills are taken, the more effective they are. Allowing nonprescription sales mean women won't have to hustle to get a prescription, something especially difficult on weekends and holidays, advocates said.

The FDA's long delay in deciding on Barr's application ensnared President Bush's nominee to head the regulatory agency. On Thursday, two senators said they would lift their Plan-B-related block on Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach.

In recent weeks, anti-abortion groups, angered that approval was imminent, had urged Bush to withdraw von Eschenbach's nomination. Bush said Monday that he supported the doctor's decisions.

Only at pharmacies
Barr hopes to begin nonprescription sales of Plan B by the end of the year. The pills will be sold only from behind the counter at pharmacies, but not at convenience stores or gas stations. Pharmacists will check photo identification.

There isn't enough scientific evidence that young teens can safely use Plan B without a doctor's supervision, von Eschenbach said in a memo. Over-the-counter use is safe for older teens and adults, the acting FDA commissioner added in explaining the age cutoff.

"This approach should help ensure safe and effective use of the product," wrote von Eschenbach.

Barr and others were disappointed that FDA imposed the age restriction. Bruce L. Downey, Barr's chairman, pledged to continue working with the agency to try to eliminate it.

The age restriction remains controversial even inside FDA, agency drugs chief Dr. Steven Galson told The Associated Press. Galson has acknowledged overruling his staff scientists, who concluded in 2004 that nonprescription sales would be safe for all ages.

"Let me be frank, there still are disagreements," Galson said in an interview. "There were disagreements from the first second this application came in the house."

The Center for Reproductive Rights said a lawsuit filed last year to do away with all age restrictions would continue.

Age-limit enforcement
As a condition of approval, Barr agreed to use anonymous shoppers and other methods to check whether pharmacists are enforcing the age restriction.

"I'm sure the FDA will follow through on that and make sure these important conditions are established and enforced," said White House spokeswoman Dana Perino.

Barr hasn't said whether it will raise the price of the pills, which now cost $25 to $40 in prescription form.

Planned Parenthood, the largest dispenser of the pills, expects some insurers to continue covering prescription sales. Whether that would be cheaper will depend on a woman's insurance.

Nine states -- Alaska, California, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Washington and Vermont -- already allow certain pharmacies to sell Plan B without a doctor's prescription to women of any age.

Minors won't see any change in those states, because the pharmacist already technically writes the prescription, the American Pharmacists Association said.

The FDA approved prescription-only sales of Plan B in 1999. The quest to change its status began in 2003. That year, agency advisers endorsed nonprescription sales for all ages, and FDA's staff scientists agreed.

Higher-ranking officials rejected that recommendation, citing concerns about young teens using the pills without oversight. Barr reapplied, asking that women 16 and older be allowed to buy Plan B without a prescription. Then last August, the FDA postponed a final decision indefinitely, saying the agency needed to determine how to enforce the age restrictions.

FDA's handling of Plan B sparked a firestorm, with allegations of political meddling, high-profile resignations, lawsuits and congressional investigations.

The controversy appears to have helped Plan B sales, which are up an estimated 30 percent this year, according to IMS Health Inc., a health care consulting company. Barr estimates pharmacists dispense about 1.5 million packs a year.

By Jeff Koinange
CNN
Adjust font size:
SOWETO, South Africa (CNN) -- "Hi Jeff," she said. "Glad you could make it. By the way, I watch you all the time."

These were the first words Oprah uttered to me as I held out my hand to greet her stepping off her van, accompanied by her ever-efficient staff.

I was floored. Oprah knows who I am? I asked myself. And I had this whole introduction thing planned out.

What a woman, disarming as ever, and ever the woman in charge. I liked her from the start, even more than I did watching her all these years on television.

We were in Soweto -- a sprawling slum in Johannesburg -- which actually stands for South West Township. Oprah seemed as comfortable here as she would be in a five-star hotel.

She walked right into the home of a couple of prospective students who had applied for entry into her exclusive Leadership Academy and had impressed her to the point she wanted to see where they lived and what their lives were like.

As you can imagine, the two girls, cousins actually, were instant celebrities. "Oprah's come to our house," they kept saying. "Our friends will never believe us." (Watch as cousins meet Oprah and girls jump for joy -- 5:20 )

Their friends didn't need much convincing. Word in the townships spreads fast. Even before Oprah had taken a tour of the two-room, seven-person shack, women were outside ululating the famous freedom line of the 1980s -- but with a new twist.

"Viva, Oprah Winfrey, Viva!," one woman yelled, followed by the chorus line "Viva!" from the rest of the growing crowd.

"You've spent $40 million on the school so far," I began.

"$40 million and counting," she interrupted. "I think I'll stop at $50 million. You can build a good school for $50 million."

Fifty-million dollars anywhere in the world is a lot of money. In South Africa, it's an almost unheard-of amount, especially if it's being spent by one person for the benefit of others.

"The money means nothing to me," Oprah continued. "When I look at these girls, I see me. That's why I want to give them everything I didn't have growing up. These are the leaders of tomorrow's Africa."

The Leadership Academy, set on more than 50 acres of land just outside Johannesburg, is a sight to behold. From the classrooms, to the dormitories, to the dining room; to the library, complete with fireplace; to a 600-seat auditorium, where Oprah will be checking up on her girls by video-conferencing -- everything has been made to the highest standards.

"I want this school to be a reflection of me," she says. "I made a promise to Madiba and I intend to keep it."

Madiba is the clan name given to former South African President Nelson Mandela. Back in 2002, Oprah asked Mandela what he wanted from her as a gift to the nation. He simply said, "Build me a school."

And she did. School begins January 2, 2007.

It's Sunday afternoon and Oprah leaves for Chicago in a few hours. She's invited all 150 girls that have "made the grade" and will be attending her academy.

The only thing is: She hasn't told them they have been accepted. She's invited them to an informal get-together. None of the girls suspect Oprah's up to her old tricks.

She springs the surprise.

"I called you all here today to let you know that you all be part of the first class of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy," she said.

And then -- PANDEMONIUM!

The girls scream and shout and jump for joy for a good 15 minutes. Their parents, too, are screaming and shouting. Everyone's crying, Oprah's crying, I'm crying. It's an unbelievable scene.

Then Oprah opens up in a way that surprises even her best friend, Gayle King, who was present and is part of the academy.



"Some people ask me why I never had children," Oprah says, adding, "Maybe this is the reason. So I can help bring up other peoples' children, your children. I want you to trust me to bring up your children and I promise I'll never let you down."

This time there's not a dry eye in the room. I'm bawling by now and wiping away tears on my sleeve. "You're such a crybaby," Graham, my cameraman, says. "I can't help it," is all I can offer.

"What you did back there was simply amazing," I tell Oprah afterward. "You'd have done the same thing, Jeff. Remember, I've seen your stories on CNN," she answers.

I'm fighting back tears again. "Hey, give me a hug," she says. "Today is a good day, and I feel my life has come full circle."

As any good college student knows, you've got to be precise with your timing when choosing to ask for an extension. Looks like ?uesto is calling his in now, and, well, we figured with Game Theory in stores this week, all his hard work has earned him a bit of a break. No break, however, for Rik Gees. Black Thought fans get ready because I just spent the last few "transcribing" the official Okayplayer interview where Mr. Trotter answers YOUR questions. Well, most of them anyways. It will be up next week.

For the more serious music-heads, take your Game Theory convo over to The Lesson. Yeah, that's where shit gets serious (I'm talking, the "purchased" version only type serious). It's also where OKPs have been talking about Kenn Starr's Starr Status even before we introduced him as our new NHT. Don't sleep.

The Roots continue to get props in the press this week: Spin magazine lists them as one of their top 25 Best Live Acts. Duh. Even Paul Shaffer could have told you that. (Sidenote: now that we've confirmed Paul Shaffer and Dave are fans, you think the Letterman band is gonna start "covering" "Here I Come" on their outros to commercials?) If you're still not convinced, watch how they rock Camp Bisco on these live videos c/o OKPDan. Jean Grae stays rockin' her live shows too. Watch as she tears it up at City Hall in NYC!

Mad Skillz got mad questions.... anyone got some answers??

-gingerlynn

She possesses one of the most alluring and powerful voices within the neo-soul genre, injecting poignant words with both soul and substance. She doesn't need to rely on technical wizardry because her voice is its own instrument all within itself. It's quietly Seductive, Sexy, Galvanizing and Sweet.

In an industry that advocates monotony, Goapele Mohlabane (Qua-Pa-Le¹) is an autonomist - a poster girl for individualism, a non-conformist. Perhaps her bloodline/lineage itself helped hurt her nonconformity. Her New York-born Jewish mother met and married exiled South African political activist Douglas Mohlabane while in Nairobi, Kenya. "What those two cultures faced historically forced my brother and I to be sensitive toward various cultures and social issues. These issues were not only important, but the focus of our everyday lives. Even our musical tastes were diverse. We listened to Sweet Honey and the Rock and Nina Simone, as well as South African music such as Hugh Masekela, Zulu Spear and Miriam Makeba which was banned in South Africa at the time."

For a woman whose name means 'to move forward' in Sitswana, a South African dialect, Goapele is instinctively living up to her moniker. The Bay Area native's debut, Closer spawned after a 9-song promotional disc was distributed to various industry executives and music outlets, yielding an overwhelmingly popular response. Adding 5 new original songs to the debut, resulted in her highly anticipated sophomore effort, Even Closer, a 14-track album on SkyBlaze/RED/Sony Records. The poised chanteuse delivers a testimony-driven, emotionally aching yet uplifting and candidly charged classic cuts to soul music junkies who feign for organic gutbucket vocals and raw bass lines. Billboard Magazine says that "Her name, Goapele Mohlabane, is just as intriguing as her musicŠThis arresting set organically mixes R and B, hip-hop, jazz, and electronica in introspective, candid songs that colorfully reflect this soulful sista's diverse range and life experiencesŠ.Goapele's smoky, sensual voice is a beacon that shines on a set that wisely steers clear of overproduction. While calling to mind such influences as Nina Simone and Sade, this classic chanteuse-in-the-making is definitely her own woman of substance." While The Source Magazine recognizes that "The neo-soul bandwagon is more crowded by the minute but room might have to be made for Goapele, the Bay Area's best kept secret....Goapele's voice rings with personal honesty and emotional urgency, reminiscent of Lauryn Hill and Mystic at their soulful best."

Goapele brilliantly experiments with skillful compositions and heart wrenching harmonies, all with a smooth as pearl delivery. "Closer," the first single that best showcases the singer/songwriter's impeccable ability to mix classic soul with rhythm and and along with new-age funk, drips with sensuality. ³A collection of politically and dirty minded songs that suggests Amel Larrieux with a libido,² says Vibe Magazine. The multi-layered feel-good track effortlessly spirals her superb lyrics and velvety voice around carefree bass laden beats instantly garnering her respect for skillfully uniting hip-hop, jazz, R and B and melodic soul. "The song is about me being thankful for the blessings that I've received so far and how far I've come in the scheme of things. It was a stream of consciousness kind of song, very personal. It's like an interlude of me thinking aloud that I felt people would identify with the most. When I hear it or sing it, I still feel all the emotions I felt when I wrote it." The charismatic rising star shines luminously on the rock-esque, guitar laced groove, "Romantic," which is an ode to her passionate boyfriend for all the exceptional things he does and has done. This song was also featured on Soulive's album, Doin' Somethin' (Blue Note Recordings). "All of my lyrics come out truthful experiences that I've had, a journal entry or maybe a melody in my head that stemmed into something. But what's important to me that sometimes gets lost in the pop world is that their music doesn't reflect the artist's real life. It's really important to me that I stay true to myself and I'm writing lyrics that I believe and not just to sell."


The track, "Things Don't Exist," dramatically reveals Goapele's depth and range atop light piano chords with jazz flavored acoustics, while she expressively wails on "Salvation," walking the avant-garde line between her gospel, South African and Urban Blues roots. One of the most striking and thought-provoking tracks on Even Closer is the anti-war song, aptly titled "Red, White and Blues". In the days following 9/11, Goapele was torn between the need to express her feelings and comment on the overwhelming opposition to all dissenting views, while maintaining respect for those who had lost their lives and families. With much trepidation, she and producer Mike Tiger went into the studio and created a song that is equally disturbing, reflective, and uplifting.

Collaborating with a bevy of musical craftsmen that includes Amp Live from Zion I (Mystic, Linkin Park), Digital Underground's DJ Fuze, Pep Love of the Hieroglyphics, Eric Krasno of Soulive, Mike Tiger (The Coup, Martin Luther) Goapele has created the perfect blend of Urban Soul. She either wrote or co-wrote every song and even co-produced several cuts. "I can conveniently fit into a category but I feel there's a wide range of music represented on the CD that ultimately, it doesn't really fit into any one category and I choose to do different kinds of music instead of focusing on one style." Sheer artistic talent, discipline and a busy schedule have led to Goapele's success and a string of engagements that include being invited by Michael Franti to sing with his band, Spearhead on their world tour in the summer of 2001, which included an appearance on Late Night with David Letterman. She has also performed on stage with Mystic, India.Arie, Alicia Keys, Donnell Jones, Amel Larrieux, Martin Luther, Erykah Badu, Common, Talib Kweli, Meshell N¹Degeacello, Ledisi, Jaguar, Jazzy Jeff, The Roots, Jazzyfatnastees and The Hieroglyphics, as well as opened for the MTV2 Sisters of Soul concert. The San Francisco Bay Guardian hails her as an "emerging rising star in the Bay Area's urban music community," while fellow artist Jazzy Jeff says, "If you looking for someone who will touch your soul...look no further she touched mine." In addition, she is featured on the new Hieroglyphic's song "Soweto," the single from the album One Big Trip which features other artists such as Dialated Peoples, Del the Funky Homosapian, The Alkaholics, Royce the 5'9, Jurassic 5 and more. The video can be seen daily on MTV and MTV2. Goapele was recently nominated for the 2003 California Music Award for Outstanding R and B album along with fellow artists, Raphael Saadiq, Ledisi and Tyrese.

At this particular juncture, the dread-headed beauty who was influenced as equally by music from Stevie Wonder, Etta James, Nina Simone, Billy Holiday, Aretha Franklin, Bob Marley and Prince as she was by community, political and social issues, would like to further develop as an artist, vocalist and musician. As a small child, Goapele used her family and friends as her practice audience, singing and performing complimentary shows, steadily fine tuning her musical chops. During her teenager years, she began singing accapella at community events like women retreats and at 14, joined the Oakland Youth Chorus. Towards the end of high school, the songstress decided to pursue music as a professional career, enrolling in the highly competitive and prestigious music school of Berkley College in Boston. From there, Goapele began performing and collaborating with various San Francisco musicians and artists such as Martin Luther, Ledisi and Mystic, circulating her talent and name. "I feel like culturally, it's rich out here in the Bay area as far as being able to discuss other subjects. We don't have to just write love songs out here we can talk about what's going on and I feel like audiences are open to that. There's a community here. A united kind of vibe and people are down to work with each other. Prop 21 was a big deal and I along with other artists were on a compilation sharing information through music."

Activism has been the cornerstone of the Mohlabane household. At the age of 10, Goapele formed the first preteen peer-led support group of the Bay Area Black Women's Health Project. "I think being active in that organization really helped me to have a foundation as a young woman, I believe in the empowerment of other young women and girls. That's something that I've been steadily dedicated to and it's a personal and a community thing. I would like to have a positive influence and impact in my community as well internationally." At 15, she served alongside her mother on the national board of directors of Be Present, Inc. She also took part in peer education around issues of racism, sexism, and classism in the community group E.Y.E.S. (Empowered Youth Educating Society). In addition to contributing to a strong sense of self, Goapele's organizational involvement provided her with nurturing forums for maturing as a human and an artist. "I'm glad that a lot of people in the community are here, youth activist and people that grew up being youth activists, who are now adults have fought for money for schools as opposed to jails. We're not preaching. We try and find alternatives in order to raise awareness surrounding issues and incorporating our culture into it."

Written and recorded on both the East and West coasts, Even Closer is the fruit of Goapele's labor and inspiration. During her infrequent idle time, the graceful songbird can be found swaying her lithe figure to the rhythmic drum beats in her Afro-Haitian dance classes. She brings a well-needed enigmatic presence to a mundane industry that's devoid of innovative magic and fascination but thick with semblance. Her aural signature of throaty moans and nostalgic lyrical poetry evoke all things old yet somehow manages to be refreshingly new. "Her vocals shatter souls, leaving audiences begging for more. She can vocally capture the heart of anyone," says Urban View Newspaper. When she opens her mouth to sing, she doesn't just sing, she rips it. She can't hold back. But then again, moving forward is what Goapele is all about.

Artwork by Monica Singer
Poetry by NuKola Herndon

First, I want to thank ALL of the awesome artist who participated on this CD.

Honey Brown
Celestial Dancer
GZup
Nichelle Colvin
Trulala
Lisa Amos
Nycole Valentina
Matthew Mark
Poetic SunShyne
KUKU
Dread Daze
Dead Potna
BASICs
Zoe Spencer
Chase Martin

The CD is now available for sale on iTunes!
All proceeds are going towards helping Katrina Survivors rebuild their lives.

Please show your love and support by purchasing this Awesome CD via itunes. :)

Perfect Reality (Katrina Benefit CD)

Big Thanks To Da Wonda Twins who Produced 6 of The Tracks On This CD!

Thank You To Erick Kaine For his Neverending Support!


Peace & Blessings To All

Monday, July 24, 2006

What Is The Second Wind Club?
Second Wind Club Was Formed In 1992 In New Orleans, Louisiana For The Sole Purpose Of Helping Those In Need. We Are Mothers, Fathers, Children & Artist Attempting To Help Anyone Who Needs Uplifting. We Also Create Poetry Cards For The Patients Of Children's & Shriners Hospitals.

Our most recent focus is aiding families who are victims/survivors of Hurricane Katrina.

What Items Can The Families Use?

1. Clothing (For Women, Men & Children)
2. Non-Perishable Food Items
3. Blankets
4. Coloring books, crayons & toys
5. Toiletries...toilet paper, soap, lotion, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, conditioner and deodorant
6. Feminine hygeine Items


You can donate these items by:

1. Emailing Us At secondwindclub@gmail.com and we will then match you up with a family in need.

How Can you Help In Your Community?
To help a family hurt by any disaster or a local shelter use a few of these ideas:
1. Shop online and have items sent to the families or shelter
2. Purchase gift cards and have them sent to the families in need
3. Go shopping with your family for basic items you may already know the shelters may need
and as a family go and delivery it to the residents of the facility.

How And When Can We Be Contacted?
Postal Mail: 13909 Nacogdoches #105
PMB 1155
San Antonio, Texas 78217

Via Email: secondwindclub@gmail.com

Telephone: 210-587-2562 (office)
504-232-3353 (M-F between the hours of 9am to 5pm CST)

Poems To Stir A Soul's Second Wind:
Along with helping the homeless we also love brightening the days of kids who are hospitalized in Childrens and Shriners Hospitals. These hospitals work effortlessly to save lives and enhance lives of children who have disabilities and cancer. We (myself & members who are writers) create poems and short stories. Those poems and stories are then printed out on decorative stock cards and paper. We then send them to the patients in Childrens & Shriners Hospitals in Louisiana, Texas and California. We welcome any writer(s) interested in joining this venture. If you have a poem or story you wish to share with the patients please email us at secondwindclub@gmail.com and we will be more than happy to have you become apart of this wonderful project.

While the industry is in a lack luster state right now with good talent, there has been a distribution company known as the distribution company of the south.

The go by the name of R n D Distribution Company. The industry mixer help on August 18, 2006 was one that many artists should try to relieve.

While walking up the steps of the SHOUT restaurant in midtown Atlanta, I was forced to thing of how this event was going to turn out. I was force to consider that this event would be a models and bottle type of event with no real networking taking place. I was force to retract my thoughts in the matter of minutes. Watching Kim Ellis and her intern staff work the door of this mixer, fully lead me to belie that I was coming into a professional atmosphere. (BIG UPS TO KIM ELLIS)

Once I had a chance to enter the threshold, I was immediately bombarded with models with very kind words, and on my other shoulder I was getting snubbed by the Don Diva rep for Atlanta. Now in a state of mind of being mesmerized, I transcended to walk through the crowd to find some familiar faces THAT I KNEW THAT I COULD HAVE A GREAT CONVO WITH.

When entering this type of event I try to gravitate to other publications or individuals that i feel will be interesting to talk to.

As time progressing the evening, we (people that came to the event) was privilege to hear the many accomplishments of the RnD Distribution and the new developments thus far.

After the hustle and bustle of indie artist handing me a cd from every which way, I began my interviewing process.

I love to take the time to interview with artist and music moguls because it is very interesting in what they would say. (CHECK BACK SOON FOR AUDIO FROM THIS EVENT......INTERVIEWS AND SHOUT OUTS)!!!

This evening was coming to a close but with out it coming to a close we have to mention that the sponsor of this event RUSH ENERGY drink and KIM ELLIS did a great job. They even provided pizza and snacks....LOL!

Check back with us with pictures and INTERVIEWS.

CHECK BACK LATER TODAY FOR THE OFFICIAL REPORT ON WHO WAS IN THE PLACE TO BE !!!

HERE IS S FEW SNAP SHOTS OF SOME OF THE WHO'S WHO THAT WAS IN ATTENDANCE!!!

For Interviews & Press Contact:
Paul “PJ”Jackson Jr.
Hi-Priority Publicity
770.875.8156
Paul@Hi-PriorityMarketing.com


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


SOULFUL SINGER/SONGWRITER HONEY BROWN SITS DOWN WITH NEW ORLEANS RADIO STATION TO DISCUSS THE PIVOTAL EFFECTS OF HURRICANE KATRINA ON THE INDEPENDENT MUSIC SCENE TODAY.


DaNawlinz Groove takes time with Honey Brown to discuss various issues

June 2006(Atlanta,Ga)- The pulse of New Orleans by far is its rich history with music. Platinum Rush artist Honey Brown sat down with internet radio Da Nawlinz Groove- (http://www.danawlinzgroove.com/) to discuss pivotal effects Hurricane Katrina had on the music scene and social issues with African Americans. Having a wide range of supporters in the New Orleans area, Honey Brown manages to step back and discuss the serious issues with independent music today.

Her sound is as sweet as honey, her audience is as wide as the Atlantic Oceans, and her songwriting ability stretches further then the horizon on a hot& humid day. The undeniable talent that many are referring to is none other then HONEY BROWN, the new soulful diva. Honey Brown has contributed her insight on hurricane Katrina, and how music of the New Orleans bka “Nawlins” influenced her in many ways.

“I make sure that my heart is always in my music,” said Brown. “Sometimes I feel like my music is an escape from the troubles of the world.”

Brown has many influences that lead her to being influenced by the New Orleans movement. Artist great like, Aretha Franklin, Donnie Hathaway, Phyllis Hyman ,Patti Labelle, Mary J. Blige, Babyface, and acclaimed song writer Diane Warren.

New things coming up in the future for Honey Brown is the EP displaying four implausible tracks that encompass the wide variety of vocal aptitude that Brown displays.

“I don't mind collaborating, but it's just more natural for me to write and write from the heart.” said Brown. “My music is just an extension of who I am."
Listen to the Exclusive Interview : http://www.360degruys.com/Interviews/HoneyBrown.mp3
-30-

::~TONIGHT~HONEY BROWN PERFORMS @ PATCHWERK STUDIOS SHOWCASE::

http://blogs.sohh.com/atlanta/archives/2006/05/no_need_to_ask.html





Some People like club music some people dont! some people come for the west ...some people come from the south.
Is music just music anymore?
I like to pose these question because as a Hip Hop Publicist in Atlanta, it is sometimes difficult to understand why the rest of the world is not feeling the dance-beat of the new era of SNAP music.
For lack of a better term, SNAP music has a place in Hip Hop, as for dance music does and as progressive hip hop does as for Go Go music. All of this music is a type of music that is not catered to the masses but is it the betterment of the culture of music.
Lets be honest, all of the music that comes from the west is not all great, from the east or the mid-west. Lets all get off of our soap-box and elevate this music.
D4L is a group that is tryingto may happy dance music for the people and as we can see that are doing a good job. It will long before now that this SNAP music will be featured in a commercial or even in corporate america advertisements.
The SNAP songs could be considered very simplictic songs but at the end of the day , it is there for entertainment.
Is music hear to enteratin or education or both.. Who is the final say so ... That is for you to find out.
This is Paul J.-The Hip Hop Publicist of Hi-Priority Publicity just shedding a little light on the situation ...
D4L do your thing . Make sure you INVEST cause it may not be long that the SNAP music may fade. Only time will tell.

Written by: Paul J.

In 2004, director and producer Monique Woods
entered the burgeoning soul music scene of Atlanta,
Georgia. The result is Finally Saying W hat I Really
Mean, a profound documentary about hip-hop and
soul music which includes interviews and out-takes
from Saul Williams, Joi, Chamillionaire, Jessica
Care Moore, Alice Lovelace, Jill Scott, Van Hunt,
John Goode, Amir Sulliman, the legendary KRS
One....
Woods splits the documentary in four
segments–good music, hip-hop, the music industry, and poetry. She uses the performers, who
share their inner-most thoughts directly with the camera to create a celebration of the music heard
in perform ances, studio sessions, and various panel discussions shot throughout the southeast.
The perform ances are cut short in this fashion, but Finally Saying W hat I Really Mean is not a
concert film. Instead she offers the viewer glimpses of them sharing their thoughts–exploring hiphop
as a cultural voice, soul music as a movement and the art and creativity of po etry as the basis
for all of that.
While Woods remains invisible throughout the film, as if her directorial flourishes or off-screen
narration might deflect attention, the artists do a fine job of sharing their own stories through
interviews and performances. W ith Finally Saying What I Really Mean Woods has created a
master class in m usic, bringing together a vital cast of performers whose energy and passion belie
their years.

I know that you all have been waiting for a new update! We have been overwhelmed with so many events coming up , we are trying to make sure that this will be the best blog of information that you have seen in the coming months

We pride ourselves on bring exclusive information, event coverage, new artist Bios and more. We understand that there is another market out there besides the mainstream artist. If you have any art events, soul artist that you feel need that exposure please feel free to email us at

THEHIPHOPPUBLICIST@gmail.com

We want to thank you in advance.

The upcoming film “Akeelah and the Bee,” starring Keke Palmer (Akeelah) as an inner-city kid who competes at the national spelling bee, will get a fresh cup of aggressive marketing from your local Starbucks employees beginning today.

The retail coffee chain is named as a co-presenter of "Akeelah" in the film’s opening credits along with Lionsgate and producer 2929 Entertainment, but is in fact a promotional partner in the film’s launch. Starbucks appears to be the first retail or brand promotional partner to get a cut of a movie's profits, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Under the deal, Starbucks’ estimated 30 million customers will encounter promotional in-store signage, cup sleeves, coasters, flash cards, magnets, and on lanyards worn by Starbucks' staff of baristas. The ads will contain more than 25 words featured in the film’s spelling bees, such as pulchritude and prestidigitation.

In addition, Starbucks customers can expect their baristas to try and slip “Akeelah and the Bee” talk into friendly conversation as you wait on your Mocha Frappuccino. The employees were either invited to advance screenings or were sent the trailer on DVD, and are expected to spark dialogue about the film with customers, said Starbucks Entertainment president Ken Lombard.

Through its T-Mobile HotSpot network, the Starbucks campaign for "Akeelah" also will offer customers access to the movie trailer, a clip from the film, links to the "Akeelah" Web site (http://www.akeelahandthebee.com) and links to music from the movie on the Starbucks Hear Music homepage. It will sell travel-size Scrabble as part of the promotion, and the DVD will be released in Starbucks locations simultaneously with its national release at traditional retail.

"We can provide the studios with a very unique opportunity to reach moviegoers in a way they currently don't have and frankly is going to help with better box office performance for their films," Lombard said.

“Akeelah” also stars Angela Bassett as Akeelah’s mother and Laurence Fishburne as her tutor. The film arrives in theaters on April 28.