Nikki Lynette On Chief Keef & Violence In Chicago

What nobody wants you to know about the violence in Chicago

By Nikki Lynette

I have been in New York on business for the past couple weeks. Every time someone finds out I'm from Chicago, the reply is always something like "Yo... Chicago is going crazy right now." Then they quote something to me about the latest death toll in my hometown. Honestly, I don't wanna hear that shit. I grew up around gang violence and poverty. It wasn't until I witnessed a murder/suicide in the apartment across the hall from me that I decided to save up money and leave the hood for good.

One of my friends who runs a prominent hip hop blog here in New York asked me why Chicago is so much worse this year and why our city is so bad that people like Cheif Keef were able to build a buzz by "talking that little kid street shit." I looked him in his eyes and said "Because people like you publicize it. You helped make Cheif Keef a star. People in Chicago finally get to see someone from the block getting fame, and it just so happens the rappers from Chicago who y'all choose to acknowledge are on some goon shit. So don't talk to me about the violence in my city. You contributed."

iFanboy @ C2E2 2011

Guest Blog - @BedstuyBetty Reviews J*Davey's Evil Christian Cop

Review by Bedstuy Betty

Underground indie vets J*Davey have once again laid down upon us what can only be described as aural manna.  While we still await the advent of New Designer Drug, the upcoming album by the innovative twosome; they have provided us with Evil Christian Cop, the second EP in the series The Great Mistapes. For the uninitiated masses still strolling through life with blinders on, J*Davey is an LA-based duo comprised of Briana Cartwright (she performs as Jack Davey) and producer Brooke D’Leau.  Through an eclectic mix of electronica, funk, soul, R&B, rock, and new wave, they continue to blow our minds and in an almost deity-like fashion, they do it for free.

@Toonseum To Visit Chicago's @c2e2

The ToonSeum, Pittsburgh’s Museum of Cartoon Art, will be presenting several panels and exhibiting at Chicago’s C2E2 March 18th-20th. Guests include puppeteer Jim Martin, comedian Gab Bonesso, and cartoonists Rob Rogers, Dick Locher, Bruce Plante, and Scott Stantis.

Gab Bonesso, Will Work for Comics Comedy Tour
Date: Saturday, March 19
Time: TBA
Location: Variant Stage
Description: Geek Girl Comedian Gab Bonesso brings her high-energy alternative comedy laced with comic book, pop culture and technology references to C2E2. Imagine if Daria and Wolverine spawned a baby girl and she grew up (a loose term) to become a comedian. Gab has been featured at the ToonSeum annual Comics for Comics event and has been awarded the title as Best Comedian in Pittsburgh by both Pittsburgh Magazine and the Pittsburgh City Paper. A fixture on Pittsburgh’s radio and comedy stages, Gab is taking her brand of "honest absurdity" nationwide with her first appearance at a national comic convention!

Drawing Fire: Editorial Cartooning in a Partisan Age
Date: Sunday, March 20
Time: 12:45 pm - 1:45 pm
Location: 473
Description: There was a time when the loudest and strongest voice heard above the din on any political issue was the editorial cartoon, jumping off the page in dramatic black and white. In today's climate of vitriolic banter and self-righteous talking heads, where does the editorial cartoon fit in? A panel of internationally known editorial cartoonists discuss their genre of cartooning in today's changing media and political landscape. They will discuss how new media is reshaping how they reach an audience. They will share some of their recent more controversial cartoons, talk about reader reaction and impact, and share some cartoons that were killed by the editor because they were too controversial to print. Listen closely. Despite the decline of newspapers, editorial cartoonists can still be heard above the din.

Jim Martin, Beneath the Screen, Behind the Scenes
Date: Sunday, March 20
Time: 3:45 pm - 4:45 pm
Location: 473
In a conversation with animation historian and ToonSeum director Joe Wos, Jim shares stories from his career, the legends he has known, and the characters he has brought to life. Jim Martin has been a puppet performer, producer and director for over 30 years. His credits read like the history of childrens television. He has worked for such iconic shows as Mister Rogers Neighborhood, Captain Kangaroo, Bear in the Big Blue House, The Puzzle Place, The D.J. Kat Show and Johnny and the Sprites. He has been an Emmy Award winning director of Sesame Street for almost two decades. Jim has been the puppet perfomer behind such legendary characters as Gary Gnu of the Great Space Coaster, Ben of Puzzle Place and Leonardo in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III.

De La Soul Show In Chicago (3/25/11)

Last.fm Event Listing or SonicLiving Event Listing

More details to come from The Shrine.

@MayorEmanuel Is Dead, Long Live Rahm Emanuel

One of the more entertaining Twitter accounts I've come across seems to now be dormant. President Barack Obama's former Chief Of Staff is now Chicago's mayor and the party is now over.

Free Clipse Show In Chicago On July 29th

SonicLiving Event Listing

or

Last.fm Event Listing

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An Open Letter To LeBron . . . Not That He'll Read This

LeBron, let me start off by saying that I don't have a dog in this race. Unless Pittsburgh gets an NBA team within the next 30 minutes. I just wanted to remind you of a few things before you make your decision. Here is a question that you have to ask yourself:

Do you want to be a legend or do you want to be just another Hall Of Famer?

If you are looking to just be another Hall Of Famer, then by all means leave Cleveland in search for a title. Keep in mind that unless you are near the end of your career this kinda looks like a punk move. There is something to be said for playing your whole career in one city. Running off to Chicago might get you A title in the short term, but unless you can catch Kobe in wins you won't be mentioned in the same breath as Jordan, Bird, Magic, Russell or Jabbar.

You've already put in seven years with the Cavs. Between Kobe's Lakers, Rondo's Celtics (yeah, I said it!) & Durant's Thunder, you more than likely will not possibily be sniffing 5 titles no matter where you go. Why not stay in Cleveland and become a legend? Going to Chicago will get you a title, but frankly it will always be seen as Derrick Rose's team. If I were a betting man, the ball will be in his hands at crunch time. He's the point guard and also may become a better closer than you. Plus, going to Chicago will ensure that you will never be any better than the 2nd best player in FRANCHISE history.

If you went to Chicago with Bosh, do you think that the Bulls will be able to keep you two as well as give Rose the max contract that he will deserve in the next season or two? Why not just emulate Jordan in the way that everyone seems to forget about, taking less money in order to get the best players around him to win.

Why not just stay in Cleveland and recruit free agents to play with you? You make more money off of the court than on it. Why not bring a title to Ohio, the state that you claim to love? Winning one or two titles in Cleveland will be far more powerful than going to Chicago and adding a banner or two or being Wade's sidekick (yes, that's what you would be!) in Miami and winning one. You can't talk Rudy Gay or Joe Johnson into running with you in Cleveland? You couldn't do some damage with one of those guys?

The only team you can go to and win without looking like a sucker would be the Clippers. It's funny, they probably have the best roster already in place out of all of the teams that have been talked about. The Clippers are cursed so you might want to avoid them.

If you want to be the icon you say you want to be, your only choice is to stay at home. You can't be a legend when your hometown is heartbroken.

Random Thoughts: Complete Non Sequiturs & Apropos Of Nothing (Vol. II)

If you were looking for a mixtape or music, this entry probably isn't for you.  This blog entry will just be my random thoughts on different things.  Some of these things with be serious and some of them with be strictly "Stuff" That May Interest Only Me.  Basically it's just a brief glimpse into my stream of consciousness. Basically it's my ode to Larry King.  Ready?

Something that I don't understand is that when on twitter and someone has a an account and they aren't even the slightest bit interested in the protected accounts that follow them. I know if anyone with a protected/private account asks to follow me, I definitely want to see their page as well. The lack of curiosity of others just surprises me at times . . . How could "hip-hop" boutiques not carry t-shirts in XXXL?  I mean most of your clientele prefer baggy or loose fit clothing so it seems that XXXL would be an obvious size to carry . . . I previously mentioned how I finally rejoined the army of smart phone users.  Well, I was bored yesterday and decided to test out it's turn by turn navigation system.  It utilizes Google Maps Navigation and requires you to download a text to speech application.  I don't know why but I was surprised it worked as great as it did.  My past experiences with GPS have many times ended with me in a shouting match with the Garmin lady.  She loved telling me to turn at the last minute possible.  We have a love/hate relationship . . . It's odd, but since coming back home I have noticed that people are far more closed off in Pittsburgh than Chicago.  They seem to only want to deal with the people they grew up with and that's it.  I don't think it's a coincidence that those friends that I have made in Pittsburgh post-high school have for the most part not been native Pittsburghers . . . Apparently a man named Thug ticked off a few people this week.  Sadly, some of those people began to take their anger out on the messenger.  I guess these same people never saw an episode of What Chili Wants?  I think the biggest issue that started everything is that people have horrible reading comprehension skills.  He really didn’t say anything that was THAT crazy.  He was talking about the kind of women that he comes in contact with.  One can only imagine the type of women that your average rapper with Thug in his name may come in contact with.  . . . It sucks when you aren't being treated the best by someone who's done a lot for you.  You don't feel the best, but you also know that you don't really have a right to complain at the same time.

Thanks for stopping by and lending an ear/pair of eyes,

8

RaTheMC - I Changed My Mind / Chicago Show Info

Goodbye, Clear Channel! Hello, Crowdsourcing . . . Kinda?

According to Billboard.biz, Last.fm's reach will go beyond the internet and be coming to a terrestrial radio station near you . . . hopefully.

CBS Interactive Group is turning the Last.fm music service into a broadcast radio station. Starting Oct. 5, the Last.fm station will be multicast on CBS's high-definition radio channels in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco-as well as streamed on CBS Radio's website-as a programmed channel.

Last.fm's user-generated weekly charts will inform the playlist, with live performances and interviews mixed throughout. The top-played songs on the Last.fm digital music service are compiled into weekly charts, which are also influenced by songs that show the greatest gains in the week as well.

Radio personality Sat Bisla will host the station's flagship program "Last.fm Discovers," featuring popular music and artist interviews. Seth Neiman, digital content manager for CBS Interactive, will serve as program director.

CBS Interactive Music Group president David Goodman said the company hopes the Last.fm channel will attract new users to the HD Radio format.

Although it's only going to be launched in four markets  (KITS-FM: 105.3 HD3 in San Francisco, WWFS-FM: 102.7 HD2 in New York, KCBS-FM: 93.1 HD2 in Los Angeles, & WXRT-FM: 93.1 HD3 in Chicago) you will still be able to listen to it through CBSRadio.com.


With the stations being in HD Radio, it might make the Zune HD that much more attractive.


Thanks for stopping by,


8

P.S. Crowdsourcing - the act of taking tasks traditionally performed by an employee or contractor, and outsourcing it to an undefined, generally large group of people or community in the form of an open call.

Google Voice/Are You Cell Phone Worthy?

I'm a Google fanboy. I don't say this with any embarrassment or anything like that. I'm just acknowledging the facts. I use google for my e-mail, instant messaging, blogging, browser and now for my home phone service . . . well, kinda.

I recently received my invite to Google Voice and this is soooo dope! It logs all of my calls online. I can listen to any voice mails online without going through endless menu options! Plus, Google Voice gives me the ability to screen calls and take the call in the middle of someone leaving a message. You can even record your calls! How dope is that? There also doesn't appear to be a limit on how long they will save your voice mail messages. You don't even have to have the calls forwarded to your phone if you don't wish. You can simply use it as a voice mailbox.


This is going to definitely save some of my daytime minutes.



As of this moment I only have one phone and that's a cell phone with a Pittsburgh area code. I decided to use my google voice number as a virtual land line. When I was back home I was without a cell phone for a minute and during that time I made a friend who had recently moved back to Pittsburgh from New York. Unfortunately my friend didn't have a land line and her only phone was a cell phone with a New York area code. So, I was stuck having to have her call me and let's just say she wasn't the best with keeping in touch. You know who you are! lol

Unlike my friend *cough*, I'm going to be embrace my Chicago brethren without cell phones! Frankly, I think I will be giving out my cell phone number less and less. Thanks to this, the cell will probably be reserved for close friends that I see and talk to a ton. I'm even throwing the Google voice number on my resume so I won't miss any important calls due to cell phone issues.

Thanks for stopping by,

8

P.S. Google's giving away 50,000 free sets of business cards showing off your google number. You don't even have to pay for shipping! I just received my confirmation e-mail stating that mine are on the way so you still have a chance to pass out some free business cards at the next job fair or networking event you attend.

P.P.S. Damn that was a long ass post script.

Nhmiah Su (Muhsinah) - 16 Hours: The Mixtape

Muhsinah aka Boozina aka Nhmiah Su will be in Chicago on July 1st @ The Shrine along with the Platinum Pied Pipers . To get in the mood you might want to peep her mixtape.



Click Here To Download

Rage Against The Coup?

Maybe I'm incredibly late, but did you know Boots Riley of The Coup has teamed up with Tom Morello, formerly of Rage Against The Machine? Apparently they've come together to form Street Sweeper Social Club.



They are currently on tour with Nine Inch Nails & Jane's Addiction on their NIN/JA tour. Here are some of the dates:

5/17/09: Las Vegas, NV @ The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino/Wasted Space *SSSC solo date

5/20/09 Irvine, CA @ Verizon Wireless Ampitheatre

5/29/09 Chicago, IL @ Charter One Pavilion

6/02/09 Toronto, ON, Canada @ Molson Amphitheatre

6/09/09 Columbia, MD @ Merriweather Post Pavilion

6/10/09 Burgettstown (outside of Pittsbrugh), PA @ Post-Gazette Pavilion

6/12/09 Charlotte, NC @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre

You can hit up their official website for a complete list of tour dates.

You can also Download Ninja Tour Sampler

Another Evening With 8thlight

Well, this past Wednesday, the 22nd I went to The Abbey in Chicago to catch Wale's The Attention Deficit Tour featuring Colin Munroe. I was really amped to see Wale & Colin. I loved both of the Wale mixtapes that I've heard (100 Miles And Running & The Mixtape About Nothing). 100 Miles is definitely my favorite because it's filled with tons of my favorite beats.

The first time I had heard of Colin was when he killed Kanye's Flashing Lights a little while ago and I've been following him ever since. I loved his Unsung Hero mixtape as well so I was really looking forward to this show and when I found out that Mic Terror was also on the bill it was a must that I go.

Anyway, on to the show . . . It was supposed to start at 9pm with the doors opening at 8pm. I'm turning the corner to venue at about 9:15pm only to see a long ass line outside! WTF?!!?!? Why was was it after 10pm and I was still standing outside with my ticket waiting to get it? I could see the opening act in the window from outside!!?! >_< Who ever was in charge at the Abbey really shouldn't have still had a job as of Thursday morning.

I finally get inside around 10:30pm or 11pm just in time to see Mic Terror take the stage. If I would've missed him I would've seriously tried to get my money back for the shenanigans that took place at the door. Luckily, I made it in time to get some decent footage. Be gentle this was my first foray into concert video. lol



After Mic Terror came Colin Munroe, but unfortunately the sound engineer was having a difficult time getting things together. Munroe's mics weren't very loud and some faint booing could be heard. I think it kind of got too Colin because he seemed really flustered on stage after the boos began. His set was so short that I didn't even get any video or pics. I was hoping he would perform Will I Stay with Wale, but no luck on that front.

And now for the main event!



Wale's backing band was a Go-Go band called UCB. They were definitely dope. Wale, himself was great although I think he's been studying Jay-Z a little too closely. I wondered if he had any mannerisms of his own. It was the only negative of seeing him live. I don't hate Jay-Z, but I definitely didn't expect to a physical clone of his. lol Jay definitely seems to have his finger prints all over this. Wale's even wearing a Roc-A-Fella chain.



Sadly, my memory card was too full to get video of him performing Chillin' or when he turned W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E. into Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit. But overall it was a great performance and I can't wait to see him again . . . but this time in a much better venue with a suitable sound system and people at the door who know what they are doing.

Thanks for reading,

8

P.S. If you happen to be reading this and in Toronto, you might want to go check him out.

Wale & Colin Munroe In Chicago 4/22/09

Colin isn't listed on the flyer, but the appearance is listed on Colin's Myspace page.



See RubyHornet.com for more details.

2009 Rock The Bells Line-Up

An Evening With 8thlight

So, I managed to make my way to the Buckshot, Skillz & Special Ed show and these are the salvageable pics that I took. Special Ed & Buckshot performed their verses from Crooklyn to close the show.

Free Show For Those In Chi And A Few Other Spots

Click Here To RSVP

Scion will also be putting on free shows in Columbus, St. Louis & Minneapolis.

Free Show For Those In Chi And A Few Other Spots

Click Here To RSVP

Scion will also be putting on free Beatnuts' shows in Columbus, St. Louis & Minneapolis.