WTF! Grandmaster Flash says that graffiti is NOT an element of hip-hop

Grandmaster Flash says one of hip-hop’s elements is fake…
Flash says that graffiti is NOT an element of hip-hop in the book “The Concise Guide to Hip-Hop Music”.

Grandmaster Flash: You know what bugs me, they put hip-hop with graffiti. How do they intertwine?

Graffiti legends and pioneers such as FARGO and BLADE agree with him, saying that graffiti was grouped with hip-hop by the media and that it was never really a part of hip-hop.

FARGO: I don’t see the correlation. The correlation between hip-hop and graffiti, that’s a media thing. And breakdancing—they put that all in one package, so they can identify it, put it in a box. There is no correlation between hip-hop and graffiti, one has nothing to do with the other.

BLADE: They put hip-hop, breakdancing, and rap music and graffiti and all this stuff together, because it’s something I guess they thought they could market for whatever the hell reason.

The relationship between hip-hop and graffiti was popularized in the classic 1983 hip-hop film Wild Style, but the film’s director Charlie Ahearn says that the link between the two art forms was fictional.

Charlie Ahearn: Wild Style is like a fantasy, it’s not a documentary. Everything in Wild Style was made for the film… that wasn’t really happening, that was just happening for the film.

One of the stars of Wild Style, LADY PINK (who is also a graffiti legend), says that graffiti should be seen as a separate art form with its own history and culture.

LADY PINK: I don’t think graffiti is hip-hop. Frankly I grew up with disco music. There’s a long background of graffiti as an entity unto itself.

Many graffiti pioneers also say that they did not listen to hip-hop music and preferred other genres.

FUZZ ONE: The graffiti soundtrack was more Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, Jethro Tull, Ted Nugent, Black Sabbath, Bachman Turner Overdrive, the Eagles, and Lynryd Skynyrd.

PHASE 2: Many graffiti writers never listened to rap, many were more partial to headbanging.

For more info and many other graffiti legends confirming that graffiti is not an element of hip-hop, check out the book The Concise Guide to Hip-Hop Music, out in bookstores and on Amazon:
TO READ MORE VISIT http://www.howtorapbook.com/2015/04/grandmaster-flash-says-graffiti-is-not-part-of-hip-hop-and-graffiti-pioneers-agree-with-him/

HIP-HOP BOOKS

Cast Members From 'The Wire' Plead For End To Violence In Baltimore

Several cast members of the HBO series "The Wire," which chronicled the Baltimore Police Department and the city of Baltimore, urged those responsible for violence in the city to stop on Monday.
The violence unfolded the same day as the funeral of Freddie Gray, who died last week from injuries sustained while in police custody. It is not yet clear why Gray was arrested in the first place and Baltimore officials and the Department of Justice are investigating the case.
Andre Royo, who played Bubbles on the show, urged Baltimoreans to demonstrate peacefully.

To my Beloved city Baltimore..I feel your pain. Stand up..rise UP without breaking down! Discipline not Destruction. #VictorynotVictims
— Andre Royo (@AndreRoyo) April 27, 2015

Wendell Pierce, who played detective Bunk Moreland on the show, said that those who incited violence and attacked police officers were not protesters.

Baltimore. These are not protestors. These are criminals disrespectful of the wishes of the family and people of good will.
— Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) April 27, 2015

And David Simon, the show's creator who was once a reporter for the Baltimore Sun, said that those destroying the city dishonored Gray's memory.
"The anger and the selfishness and the brutality of those claiming the right to violence in Freddie Gray’s name needs to cease," Simon wrote on his website. "Here was real power and potential in the peaceful protests that spoke in Mr. Gray’s name initially, and there was real unity at his homegoing today. But this, now, in the streets, is an affront to that man’s memory and a dimunition of the absolute moral lesson that underlies his unnecessary death."
"If you can’t seek redress and demand reform without a brick in your hand, you risk losing this moment for all of us in Baltimore. Turn around. Go home. Please," Simon continued.
Read more on the unrest in Baltimore here.

Senate Makes History By Confirming Loretta Lynch As U.S. Attorney General

 WASHINGTON -- Loretta Lynch was confirmed as U.S. attorney general on Thursday after months of GOP delays, making history by becoming the first African-American woman to hold the post.
Lynch was confirmed in the Senate 56 to 43. All Democrats voted for her, along with 10 Republicans: Kelly Ayotte (N.H.), Thad Cochran (Miss.), Susan Collins (Maine), Jeff Flake (Ariz.), Lindsey Graham (S.C.), Orrin Hatch (Utah), Ron Johnson (Wis.), Mark Kirk (Ill.), Rob Portman (Ohio) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.).
Sen Ted Cruz (R-Texas), one of Lynch's loudest critics, was the only senator to miss the vote. Hours earlier, he railed against Lynch for being "unfit" for the job.
"Today, the Senate finally confirmed Loretta Lynch to be America’s next Attorney General – and America will be better off for it," President Barack Obama said in a statement. "Loretta's confirmation ensures that we are better positioned to keep our communities safe, keep our nation secure, and ensure that every American experiences justice under the law."
Republicans who opposed Lynch, who until now was the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, conceded they didn't doubt she was qualified for the job. Instead, they voted against her because of their anger over Obama's recent executive action on immigration, which would provide deportation relief for up to 1.8 million undocumented immigrants. The matter is currently tied up in a lawsuit. Lynch will defend the policy in her new role.
"We are deeply concerned in this country about the president's executive amnesty. The unlawfulness of it, the breadth of it, the arrogance of it to the point that it's a direct assault on congressional power," said Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.). "We do not have to confirm someone to the highest law enforcement position in America if that someone has publicly committed to denigrating Congress."
Obama took the executive action in November after Congress failed to pass comprehensive immigration reform. He's hardly the first president to use his executive authority on immigration matters. Every U.S. president since 1956 has used executive authority to grant various types of temporary immigration relief.
Ahead of Thursday's vote, Democrats chided Republicans for throwing up so many roadblocks to Lynch's confirmation. She had been waiting for a vote for more than five months, longer than any of her recent predecessors.
Lynch is "an historic nominee," said Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), the ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee. By voting against her, he said, Republicans are "making history for the wrong reason."
Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) had some more choice words for the GOP.
"This is base politics at its worst," she fumed.
"What my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are saying is, it doesn't matter if you're qualified ... We have a new test: You must disagree with the president who nominates you," McCaskill added. "It is beyond depressing. It's disgusting."
Lynch replaces outgoing Attorney General Eric Holder, who announced his resignation in September. Holder agreed to stay on the job until Lynch was confirmed.

New Bill Would Ban Police Chokeholds Under Federal Law

NEW YORK -- Less than a year after Eric Garner died after being put into a police chokehold in Staten Island, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) is introducing legislation that would ban the often dangerous maneuver outright under federal law.
Jeffries announced his new bill, the Excessive Use of Force Prevention Act, Monday outside One Police Plaza in lower Manhattan with Garner's mother, Gwen Carr, at his side.
“The chokehold is a classic example of violent police tactics,” Jeffries said during the press conference. “It is an unreasonable measure. It is an unnecessary measure. It is an uncivilized measure. This bill will make it an unlawful measure.”


The legislation, set to be introduced in Congress Tuesday, defines a chokehold as “ the application of any pressure to the throat or windpipe which may prevent or hinder breathing or reduce the intake of air.”
Although many police departments across the country, including in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago and Philadelphia, prohibit or discourage cops from using chokeholds, the move is not explicitly illegal under federal law.
“It’s clear that department policy is not sufficient,” Jeffries said, pointing to the over 1,000 complaints regarding NYPD chokeholds sent to the Civilian Complaint Review Board from 2009 to 2013. (Only nine of those complaints were substantiated by the CCRB, and only one officer was disciplined -- by being docked some vacation days.)
Garner, a 47-year-old father of six, died last July after being put into a chokehold by NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo during an arrest for allegedly selling untaxed “loosie” cigarettes. A video of the incident shows Garner screaming “I can’t breathe” 11 times before his body goes still.

TO READ MORE CLICK HERE http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/27/chokeholds_n_7154970.html?utm_hp_ref=black-voices&ir=Black%20Voices

TIME.COM We Fact-Checked All of Jay Z’s #TidalFacts

He's not a businessman; he's a prognosticator of the future of streaming music consumption, man

Things have been rocky for Jay Z’s Tidal service ever since the service relaunched with an Avengers-like call-to-arms of music superstars last month. Since then, the streaming platform has fallen out of the top 750 apps on Apple’s App Store, replaced its CEO and taken several dings in the press. So it’s no surprise Jay Z is eager to defend his new service against detractors.
The mogul-rapper tweeted a bevy of “#TidalFacts” Sunday, arguing his music service is actually doing just fine (on the rare occasions Jay tweets, he loves to talk about #facts).

TO READ THE #FACTS CLICK HERE http://time.com/3836937/jay-z-tidal-tidalfacts/

MICK BENZO & ICE T Presents THE ART OF RAP FESTIVAL SUMMER 2015!

For Tickets visit http://www.theartofrap.net  or http://www.artofrapfest.com
ALL ARTISTS REGARDING THIS FESTIVAL CONTACT MICK BENZO
http://www.twitter.com/Mickbenzo
follow ICE-T on twitter http://www.twitter.com/finallevel
ART OF RAP ON PINTEREST http://www.pinterest.com/artofrap

Supported by WHO'S THAT LADY ENTERTAINMENT
http://www.whosthatladyent.com

A MESSAGE TO ALL! EMPIRE IS NOT CANCELLED! STOP READING GARBAGE BLOGSITE!

THE DUMBING DOWN OF AMERICA SOCIAL MEDIA! People stop visiting these garbage website and blogsite that put our FAKE NEWS! The problem is that social media has gone to the dumpster, To much nonsense and garbage including all the RUMORS!
If the show was cancelled don't you think it would have been on the national media instead of some satirical entertainment website. People get it right.
For more of real entertainment visit http://www.whosthatladyet.com  JUST THE FACTS! NO GOSSIP!

FOX hit Empire canceled? Don't believe the rumors!

The rumor? That the FOX hit was canceled!!!

Numerous Tumbler pages and websites claimed the show had been canceled even after earlier news reported the show being renewed for a second season.
Given the outstanding ratings the show has seen, and the popularity of the #beonempire contest -- which promised a walk-on role in the second season -- it is safe to say it was just a nasty rumor!
The rumor can be attributed to a NewsBuzzDaily.com – a satirical entertainment website. Their past stories include yarns about free donuts at Krispy Kreme - a woman's lips exploding after doing the Kylie Jenner Challenge - and Martin Lawrence having been found dead in a hotel.

 

Rain Pryor to Premiere New One-Woman Show at National Black Theatre, 6/2-28

Follow Rain Pryor on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/rainpryor and get your ticket at the National Black Theatre  http://www.twitter.com/natblacktheatre for tickets visit http://www.nationalblacktheatre.org


Rain Pryor's one-woman autobiographical play will have its World Premiere at Dr. Barbara Ann Teer's National Black Theatre (NBT) in Harlem, running Tuesday, June 2, through Sunday, June 28. "Fried Chicken & Latkes" is the actress-writer-comedian's funny take on her mixed-race heritage and growing up the daughter of one of the world's most beloved and iconic funny men, comic genius Richard Pryor.
"We are so excited for Rain to join the NBT family and round out the 46th season with 'Fried Chicken & Latkes.' This season, NBT has navigated the world through the eyes of the Black female playwright; and we complete this year-long journey with the healing power of laughter, through the nuance of identity. Our mission here at NBT is to create a home for every person that walks through our doors, to allow members of our community to see themselves in ways they may have never experienced before, activated by the unabashedly authentic stories on our stage. We hope you come out and enjoy Rain's piece as she serves up home on a comically diverse and complex platter," said Sade Lythcott, CEO of NBT.


The hilariously irreverent and poignant play is Rain Pryor's one-woman, theatrical, cabaret-styled show based on her life growing up Black and Jewish. It has been in development for several years and performed in Atlanta; New York; Winston-Salem, NC; Baltimore; and Washington, DC. Recently, the actress joined forces with acclaimed director Kamilah Forbes ("A Raisin in the Sun," "Lucky Guy," "Stick Fly," "The Mountaintop," "Holler If Ya Hear Me") to completely reimagine the work. In collaboration with NBT, Forbes has brought on a full creative team to mount the production, including Drama Desk Awardee Maruti Evans (scenic and lighting design), Dede Ayite (costume design), Eric Sluyter (sound design), Katherine Freer (projection designer) and Ayisha Hunt (stage management). Audiences can expect new songs, script elements and other production enhancements, including projection.
"The development of 'Fried Chicken & Latkes' has been cathartic and this fully mounted version is the culminating event," said Pryor. "With Kamilah's vision and the talent of a top-notch creative team, the June premiere marks the first time the show is more than me, a black curtain and a couple of black boxes. Thank the ancestors for creatives!"
Pryor plays the 11 characters most pivotal to her life and takes her audience on a musical journey through the late '60s, '70s and '80s and some little-known family history. Along the way, she offers a unique perspective on race, identity and the loss of her iconic father, Richard Pryor.
Tickets are on sale now for the production, which is playing at National Black Theatre, 2031 Fifth Avenue between 125th and 126th Streets in Harlem. (Take the 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 subway to 125th Street.) Previews run Tuesday, June 2, through Sunday, June 7, with tickets at $20. The production officially opens on Thursday, June 11, marked by an Opening Night Gala that includes a 7 p.m. reception and 8 p.m. show. Performances will run June 12-28 on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays at 7:30 p.m., with a Saturday matinee at 2 p.m.; Sunday performances will be at 4 p.m. There will be no show on June 18. Tickets are $30 general admission with the following exceptions: All seats during the final week are $40 and an Opening Night Gala ticket (Thursday, June 11) is $50. Discount tickets of $20 are available for groups (10 or more), senior citizens, students, active military members and veterans. Tickets can be purchased online at www.nationalblacktheatre.org, by calling NBT directly at (212) 722- 3800, or at NBT's Box Office from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.

#booked America Beauty Claudia Jordan Hosting Tour! Is She In your City!?

American Beauty Claudia Jordan Reality Star/Radio Host (Rickey Smiley)

Bravo's Newest Housewife, Co-Host on the Rickey Smiley Morning Show, Contributor 2 the Dr Drew Show on HLN, Actress Follow on IG instagram.com/claudiajordan
http://www.www.TheRealClaudiaJordan.com

Phoenix!! We're back on the field this Saturday playing in the Larry Fitzgerald's Celebrity Softball game benefiting the fight against breast cancer. Please visit the site and purchase your

tickets to support see his great cause! This is my 4th year participating

 

#booked #booked Claudia Jordan is Coming to your city!

 Opelika, Alabama we're coming to town May 8th! Come see @ginuwine perform. I'll be bringing him out on stage. Don't miss it! #booked

 Saturday May 9th we're coming to Milwaukee, Wisconsin for a special Mother's Day weekend treat! Come see these sexy fellas SANG! #Ginuwine #Tank #RL I'm hosting this event! #MothersDay #booked

  Rhode Island I'm coming back home! May 30th come meet me at Twin Rivers Casino!! I'll be hosting the Spring into Summer Fashion Gala and Community Leadership Awards 6-10pm then you'll most likely find me at the craps tables til about 2am!! Lol come see us girl! I can't wait to get back home! #Booked

 Baton Rouge we're coming! June 19th! These great talents are performing and I'm hosting. Please join us for a night of great music! #KeithSweat #SlickRick #KellyPrice #DougEFresh #BatonRouge #booked

 STAY TUNED FOR MORE DATES WITH CLAUDIA JORDAN!

Visit http://www.whosthatladyent.com

 

Meet Marilyn Jones, CEO of the "Me" Brand and Bfragranced

Lenell:  Tell us about Embellish and the whole inspiration behind it?  Marilyn:  It was driven by memories that my mom left behind. I am from a large family.  I am number 11 of 12 children.  My mom passed away when I was five years old of breast cancer. My siblings had more memories of her than I did. One of the things that I remember often about her was her scent.  So I think that was very impactful for me that I ended up having this special gift from her than any of my other siblings. With that, it kind of became my blueprint to want to create a fragrance. Not that embellish, reminds me of the scent of my mom, but it stormed up a passion to want to create a fragrance in remembrance of her. So that is where the desire came from. Lenell: One thing that really stood out during my research on the fragrance is the concept of “Me”. Is it about how the fragrance combines with one’s body chemistry to make it different? Can you elaborate on the “Me” concept? Marilyn:  “Me” is the actual brand.  When you think of major brands like Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, you automatically think of brand and notoriety right? Lenell: Of course. Marilyn: Those (including me) never really celebrated themselves and who they are. One of the things that I thought to do with that was form a Brand that will allow you to do just that. We have carried/worn the “CC’s” and the “GG’s” for so long, well now we can embrace “Me” and celebrate our individuality! Oftentimes women and men get territorial about what it is that they wear or their scent. There have been times when someone has said,”Oh, you smell nice, what is that you’re wearing?”  Now you can say with pride and boldness it’s “ME”. It’s more of a sense of empowerment. Celebrate who you are behind the brand “ME”. Lenell:  That is really powerful. What  an amazing concept.  Marilyn:  I thought about times when we would say “Ooh, I like that fragrance, what is that you’re wearing? And you would say “Me” or “Soap and water”. People would think that you were being sarcastic. (Laughing)  Now you can say you’re wearing “ME” and it’s really true. I thought about one of my favorite candy bars “Whatchamacallit”, I really did like saying that I was eating a “Whatchamacallit” as if I didn’t remember that name of what I was eating. What a cool concept? Now that same concept applies to the Brand “ME”.  You’ll be asked on the Jewelry, fragrance or handbag you carry and say with Pride Oh It’s “ME”! How powerful is that? Lenell:  Do you have a background in cosmetics? I know you said the idea originally came from memories of  your mother's scent. What is your background leading into the business aspect of the project?  Marilyn: It’s so interesting. My background has nothing to do with this category at all. I have over 20 + years of accounting and finance experience. Working for Corporate America afforded me the opportunity to grow and develop the business acumen I needed to make this brand a success!  As I mentioned, the blueprint did spark with the memory of my mother’s scent. More importantly, what I believe she really left me with was the birth of a business concept. As a result, the Brand “ME” was formed. Lenell:  You see many fragrances endorsed by women in entertainment like Halle Berry, Nicki Minaj, and so forth.  How do you think Embellish would stand up to those names? Have you reached out to a name to be the face of your brand?  Marilyn:  I have not looked into that, but I certainly would be open to a conversation.  I didn’t really want the brand “ME” to get lost in celebrity endorsements.   “ME “is the brand, “Embellish” just happens to be one of the product lines. If you think about some of the major brands that are out there that do not have a celebrity endorsement like Gucci. It isn’t named after a certain celebrity, however, you may have a celebrity endorse something under that specific brand. Brands like Nike, is a stand-alone name, however, people enjoy standing in lines to get their air Jordan’s! Lenell:  Is this your first year on the market? Marilyn:  We are celebrating our first year on the market. We just had a wonderful celebration for our one year milestone which is very hard for a small business. We’ve been successful and we’ve done very well with e-commerce at Bfragranced.com.  We also have a few boutique stores in the Chicagoland area that carry our product. We are currently looking into huge retailers. Yet, we’re being very strategic on where we place the product. We don’t want to have any brand equity loss. Yes, I’ve had opportunities to have my product placed in several stores, but I’m being very careful and sacred with the brand equity. It can’t be placed any and everywhere. Lenell:  I love the commercial, where the young woman appears to be chasing herself. It seems as if she is in a dreamlike state.  What is the overall message that you’re trying to convey with the commercial?  Marilyn: It almost appears as if she is running from herself.  What is that? It’s “ME”! The message magnifies the center that it is about “ME”.  It’s celebrating who you are. The director who filmed that is Awesome.  He was very visual in bringing that concept to life. Lenell: What is in the immediate future for Embellish and the “ME” brand?  Marilyn: We just finished our lotion and our shower gel that will be on shelves in the near future. Research and Development are also working on products for our men; we have gotten so many questions and comments like “it’s not just women, its men out here as well. We want our Men on Team “ME”. After completion of the cologne and after shave for the men, we will venture off into other product lines for the “ME” brand. We will create more of a robust product line. We will not be known for just fragrance or cosmetics, but also known for handbags, jewelry, and other luxury products.  I have so many things that we want to bring to the market, but we have to take our time. I’d rather take my time and do things the right way with the perfect quality than to rush on quantities and lack on quality. People ask, when are the products coming? I tell them soon, very soon. Lenell:  Congratulations. I think the scent is awesome. I am so excited for this brand, it is so powerful.  Congratulations again. THE EMBELLISH LINE AND MORE PRODUCTS FROM “ME” CAN BE FOUND ATBFRAGRANCED.COM

LCI MKTG

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Bobbi Kristina is awake, dad Bobby Brown tells concert crowd

TLANTA -- Bobby Brown told concert goers Saturday night that his daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown is awake nearly three months after she was found face down and unresponsive in a tub at her Georgia home.
In a video, Brown tells the crowd during a concert appearance at the Verizon Theatre in Dallas, Texas, that "Bobbi is awake," adding that "she is watching me." The crowd screamed after his remark.
People magazine is casting doubts, though, on Brown's story. It said an unidentified Brown family source believes Bobbi Kristina had yet to wake up.
"As far as I know, there's been no change," the source said. "We're still hoping and praying that God will perform a miracle. We are leaving it in God's hands."
Brown's family has said she's "fighting for her life" since she was found unresponsive Jan. 31. The 21-year-old Bobbi Kristina is the only daughter of Brown and the late Whitney Houston.

http://www.syracuse.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2015/04/bobbi_kristina_is_awake_dad_bo.html

Exclusive Interview With Londyn De Richelieu (Love Thy Sister)

LONDYN DE RICHELIEU

Born To Be Free and Live Life On Her Terms

By Belinda Trotter-James

Londyn de Richelieu is the outspoken best friend of Ione Rucker from WE TV’s hit show, Love Thy Sister.  With a melting pot of people living their lives exactly how they want to live, Londyn brings a new perspective to relationships, friendships, tolerance, love, peace, harmony and all kinds of good stuff the earth needs in today’s world.

Ione and Londyn met in their freshman year of college. “I was known for hooking people up,” says Londyn.  “That was my thing… matchmaking.  I would hook the guys up with the girls from Moorehouse and the girls were my friends at Spellman and that really made things easier for me and I didn’t have to go through a lot of problems because I was friends with so many of the guys and hooked them up with so many of the girls that they had a mutual respect for me.  Ione gave me a Sam Fine book and we have been friends ever since.” 

On the show Love Thy Sister it was revealed that Ione met Londyn when she was a he.  Londyn’s transgender journey was a real eye opener on the show.  It allowed many to understand the mindset of someone who feels a certain way about themselves. During the course of the show we see Ione still trying to adjust to the fact that Londyn feels she is a girl trapped in a man’s body.

“Ione met me as someone who was assigned as a male at birth who hadn’t come to grips with their gender identity,” explains Londyn.  She also explained to me that when someone is going through a transition from one sex to the other the term is called, ‘assigned male/female at birth’.  “I was dressing as a male, but the next year I wasn’t dressing as a male anymore,” says Londyn.

We see in the news that Bruce Jenner is going through a transgender phase in his life and some of the television soaps are starting to introduce transgender characters to their viewing audience. To get an understanding of what Bruce is going through I asked Londyn to give her take on the situation.  “Well I think it’s speculative because I have not seen it for myself or have heard the words come out of Bruce’s mouth in this supposedly exclusive interview”, says Londyn.  “I just hear a lot of speculation and I find they are making a spectacle of his transition and until I hear it come from Bruce’s mouth, I think it’s speculative. I think once he does speak, it will give him more strength and a voice.  I think that people who make speculations bring on a conversation about people who play on gender masculinity and femininity.  This defines what the sex of a person is and Bruce has always been gender blurred to me where his hair would be long and got plastic surgery to make himself look more feminine; even his mannerisms were considered feminine, but I believe we should respect Bruce for what he tells us he wants to be considered verses what we want to call him or her because I don’t know at this point what Bruce’s gender identity is, but I think it’s important that we be compassionate and tolerant because it is not only hard for Bruce, but for Bruce’s ex-wife and his children.  It’s a group effort that takes a lot of tolerance and I think we should be sympathetic to that and compassionate as well.”  In an exclusive interview with Diane Sawyer later this month Bruce Jenner will tell America what he plans to do with his life.  I’m sure Londyn will be watching with all of us to hear what Bruce has to say about the speculations.

Most people that do come out to their family and friends about their decision to make a gender identity decision don’t know what types of reaction will be received.  Will everyone be upset, happy, confused or just learn to accept what is about to happen in the lives of everyone concerned. As humans we all need to realize that each of us has our own journey to embark upon alone.  Therefore, one must learn to accept individuals ‘as is’.  Londyn knows first hand what it feels like to break the news to family about making a gender identity decision. 

“The first person I told was my mom”, remembers Londyn.  “She took my first pictures as Londyn.  My mother gave me the name Londyn.  My middle name is Collette which is my grandmother’s name.  I love my grandmother so much that I named myself Collette. I could not see a young woman like me with the first name being Collette however, Collette was also my favorite store in Paris.  When I decided I was going to come out to my father, I initially came out to my dad when I thought I was gay verses being transgender and again we need to understand that sexual orientation and gender identity are mutually exclusive and that someone who is transgender does not have to like the person who is opposite of who they identify.  I am a transwoman; I do not have to like men. I could still like women because gender identity and sexual orientation are mutually exclusive.  So I consider myself a heterosexual woman.” 

“So, I came out to my father when I assumed I was homosexual”, continues Londyn.  “My father was very open about it and said, “I always taught my children to be the best at who they are and the only way you can be the best at who you are is to know who you are.”  He said, ‘I love you, I embrace you and I don’t love you in spite of you, I love you for all of you’ and that’s what my dad told me. He told me this at a football game we attended for my nephew. I had a big Louis Vuitton bag, a Westwood jacket and I didn’t want to get out of the car because I was nervous. I was dress androgynously and I didn’t know if the children would ridicule me or embarrass my nephew, but I knew my nephew was a fighter and would beat those kids up if they said something to me, but I still did not want to get out of the car. Then my brother said, ‘No! Get out the damn car!’ I will never forget this.  He said, ‘If you are going to dress that way, you need to deal with what comes with it. So, get out the car.’  So that was one of the pivotal times I will always remember.  My mom and grandma was always kind of like… whatever… it’s never been a big [deal].”

 Londyn was changing little by little.  His dad saw him dressed androgynously, but not totally like a girl as of yet.  This was another pivotal moment in Londyn’s life.  “When I decided that I was going to completely transition, I called my father,” recalls Londyn. “He was getting married and I said, ‘Daddy I look a little different… My hair is longer and I have breasts.’  I’ve always looked feminine, I’ve never had a beard, I’ve never grew chest hairs, my brothers had beards, grew chest hairs and had big hands. I’m 5 foot 5 ¼, but on the show I look like 6 feet. I’m only 5-5 ¼ and I’ve always had small hands and small feet. I’m a size 8 ½ girl’s shoe.  I’ve always had a very feminine look by nature.  So me telling him I was going to be dressing in women’s clothing was no big deal to him because he already seen me dress in women’s clothing anyway when I assumed I was homosexual.  So I told my daddy, ‘I’m going to be wearing a woman’s suit just because I know that initially when you see me you may feel…. Well I just don’t want to make it uncomfortable for anybody’ and he said, ‘Okay fine, but I do have a question.  Do you still stand or sit when you go to the toilet?’  We both laughed.  I wore this white Benetton suit, big Todd Odem glasses with a Yves St Laurent bag because I wanted to always make sure I was done so that there would always be full respect of who I was.  I wasn’t going as a spectacle…half dressed with bad makeup looking like a clown.  I wanted to make sure that the way they saw me demanded respect.  So I put my effort and my money in the way that I looked and this is not to say that if someone doesn’t look that way doesn’t entitle them to respect.  I just know how people are and I know for people to take you seriously you have to own who you are and I had to dress as the woman that I have always visualized myself as and in turn get that same respect.  I have always visualized myself as a sophisticated, intelligent black woman who was well traveled, well cultured, well versed and I made sure my look translated as such and therefore people will interpret it as such and treat me as such.”

Londyn’s grandfather had not seen the transformation that was taken place in his favorite grandson.  When he did for the first time, it was definitely an eye opening experience.  “My grandfather would say, ‘Where is my old man Juan, where is he?’, remembers Londyn.  “I was standing next to my grandmother the whole time.”  Growing up as a young man Londyn’s grandfather loved him very much.  Londyn was very active in secondary school and was able to make decisions about his life that made him happy.  However, the young man that everyone saw on the outside was developing into a woman on the inside.

Londyn was definitely a high achiever in school.  She was a NAACP AXSO winner, a SIGMA THETA scholarship earner, on the National Honor Society, the tennis team and all of those things that every parent would want for their child.  “My parents always expected the best from me so they were very comfortable in my decisions because they knew I had the capacity to make decisions,” explains Londyn.  “So my grandfather being so proud of me was looking for me and my father said to my grandfather, ‘There goes Juan right there…’  My grandfather said, ‘Oh my God. I need a drink.’  That was an awkward moment, but my grandfather is so supportive of me.  My parents are 100% onboard and they support everything that I do.  My grandmother was my best friend and she passed away in October.  She was the main person who never misgendered me.  My grandmother always said, ‘she’, my grandmother always called me Londyn and if you made a mistake and didn’t call me Londyn she would go off and say something to you.  This is why I started a scholarship fund in my grandmother’s name and it is for someone who is transidenified and would like to go back to school/college to change their life.  My grandmother gave me that opportunity when my life was going so rough for me. I came back home last year and stayed with her and finished my program at Howard University school of law under the paralegal program.  I just want to give someone else that opportunity so that they can do what they need to do.”

When one is going through life changes, it can be tough when there are no friends or family members to get you through the tough times.  Therefore, some do turn within to have a talk with their spirit, God or some spiritual organization for peace.  Londyn says that she does not believe in organized religion.  “My father is a deacon, my mother is a deaconess and my father’s wife is a preacher and I grew up with a very religious background”, remembers Londyn.  “I grew up with a Christian family who was not hypocritical and who showed love; they’ve always embraced me.  They never gave hate speech or hate preach.  It’s always been preaching compassion, acceptance and tolerance. I know that other people have not necessarily had that experience.  What I urge people to do especially the black church, since we are so galvanized by the church, is to not make gender issues or sexuality issues a taboo and shun people out that they could possibly help especially with the large rate of HIV, aides, poverty and the miseducation [of those issues]. I think that the church is a place where people can turn to get the help they need in whatever situation they are in and I don’t think they should make people so apathetic.  I have never been a part of an apathetic church however, I gave a speech about three years ago at a Tabernacle church.  The pastor who is openly gay has a partner and he also has a wife who was originally at the church in the beginning along with his daughter who went to Spelman with me, gave me a great talk on love and acceptance and allowed me to speak when I was part of a cast for a television show I was doing called Boss Lady.” 

I asked Londyn what type of conversation did she have with God regarding her transgender journey.  She went on to explain that other regions have deities who are assembled by dual gender and that’s why she can embrace who she is.  “I ultimately would like to be judged on what I do on earth for the betterment of another person and that was my conversation with God.  He let me know that I’m OK.  God continually lets me know that I am not a mistake.  He continually gives me drive; He gives me platform and my God loves me and celebrates my particular journey.”

Thank goodness we have a God and some humans on earth who will love us no matter what journey we have to follow.  The reason why people should not judge one another is because they don’t know each other’s path.  Even the person walking in the path is surprised.  They too have to figure out things as they travel through this universe.  It’s too bad some people didn’t get that memo.  On an episode of Love Thy Sister the girls were invited to a sex toy party.  Men were not invited however, the men that did show up had to leave before the main presentation could begin.  Someone must have told the presenter that Londyn was not born a female.  It was puzzling why this would be an issue.  This is not the same situation as a child being included in adult presentations.  This is a man transitioning to a woman and when it comes to sex toys, maybe there could have been a real conversation on pleasing both sexes.  The funny thing was that the presenter was a plus size woman and we know the plight full figured women have had with being accepted by society and not frowned upon when sitting in tiny airplane seats or designers not wanting to make bigger clothes for the runway.  I used to produce modeling competitions/pageants for full figured women in the 80’s for years and here we are in the year 2015 and they are just starting to get recognition.  So to have this person of a particular shunned group by society shun another group was interesting to see on television. 

Londyn has a different view of how it played out on the show… “There was a misconception in the way that it was shown on television.  I was not clocked when I went to the party.  Someone let the presenter know prior to the party that there would be someone of transgender attending the party.  There was also a gentleman at the party that was identified as homosexual.  So when I got there the conversation was based around the fact that he was there.” 

I really don’t understand why people can be so closed minded about various issues that take place in our world today.  Londyn went on to say that the presenter did not want someone who was transgender to stay for the portion of the presentation that included talking about the lotions and the sexual toys.  Really?!?  That does not make any sense.  Actually Londyn could have enlightened the women on many different levels and made the party more informative.  On the other hand if you don’t know who is in your audience, do you make a blanket statement at the beginning of your presentation that states no one who is born a man may stay for this presentation?  That’s like having a clothing line presentation and saying all women over a certain size cannot stay for this portion of the presentation.  People can be real insensitive for no reason.  I can see if children were not allowed in the presentation, but not to allow someone who has taken a very serious step to become the opposite of their assigned born description is no joke.  This is not Halloween where someone chooses to dress up for the day… No!  This is their lifestyle now and people should make it a point to take them as seriously as they take you every time they look at your assigned gender.  Sheesh!...  Excuse me...  I seemed to have gone off on my own parade.  Anyway….Londyn did leave the party after she enlightened everyone in the room about tolerance.

“The presenter did not know what was between my legs or if I had a sex change or not,” states Londyn.  “I believe it was up to me to be the bearer of positive information for her to understand tolerance because she was stating that she had been abused and was a victim of domestic abuse.  She had been beaten and that’s how she discovered the business.  I stood up and also revealed to the audience that I had been a victim of domestic violence and had been in an abusive relationship.  I also told them that this person was holding me back from my destiny, my independence, my creativity and all the things that Ione and others love so much about me.”  

Londyn went on to tell the ladies her story of abuse and some of the ladies definitely connected to her emotionally as she concluded her journey.  Ione also lived through that terrible time in Londyn’s life.  Before Londyn’s departure from the party she recited a beautiful poem entitled A Rose is a Rose.  The funny thing about the entire incident is that the presenter did not think Londyn was the transgender.  She thought it was two other women in the room.  Unbelievable.  “I am a woman who has experienced a duel lifestyle so I understand the male and female body and the wants of both so I am able to give a good perspective on how to please a man”, says Londyn.  “I have given out enough tips… Trust me.  It doesn’t make sense for women to be buying these toys and don’t know how to use them.”  We both laughed… actually I think it was only me who bashfully laughed.  I know if Londyn started a sex toy business she would have a full house and a weekly waiting list.  Trust me.

Londyn has been through a lot in her young journey.  The future holds so many things and wonderful opportunities that she is trying to figure out what to do first.  “I was not cognizant of my capabilities, but everyone around me knew”, recalls Londyn.  “Ione will tell you that when we were in school I would help people write their term papers and do all kinds of things, but I was so unhappy with myself.  I would procrastinate, I would be a little depressed, I would not really focus on my true passion along with my abilities and capabilities.  So when I was in school I didn’t finish and that’s the one thing that was the elephant in the room that had been on my back.  So I decided last year to go back and finish those last credits.  I was only a few credits shy of graduating from Moorehouse.  Thank God I finished and have my degree.” 

Londyn is thinking of starting a branding and marketing company since that is what she has always done for friends while attending school.  She finished her degree in law because she wants to have a voice and have knowledge of the law to make things right for people who don’t know how to make things right for themselves.  “I know that I have that power and the voice to be the trumpet for inequality to break molds,” says Londyn.  “I just want to break doors and be happy. I turned my adversities into victories and trust me; I have had plenty of adversities.  I can’t even get into all of them right now because it would take hours if I told you all the things I’ve been through.  I’ve been through them and I’m still here.”  Londyn’s journey sure sounds like a good book and she says, “Possibly. One Night In Londyn is the book that I’ve been working on.  It’s in the process.” 

The television show, Love Thy Sister did very well in their first season because they touched on many topics happening in many households across America.  Londyn gets lots of fan email and she tries to respond to everyone.  The Rucker sisters have been working on a hair care line prior to the show for a few years.  The product is called Rucker Roots and Londyn is the International Sales Director.  “We have a special ingredient called turnip root which has sulfur in it and is great for the scalp,” explains Londyn.   “Rucker Roots was already in research and development three years prior to the show.  So we did not create a product just because we were on the show.”

You can go to the Rucker Roots website to find out more about the product.  Fans can keep up with Londyn on her social media outlets; Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/londyn_rich, Face Book: http://www.facebook.com/Londyn Derichelieu

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R.I.P R&B Singer Johnny Kemp Dead at 55 "Just Got Paid, Friday Night!

*Bahamian singer Johnny Kemp, best known for his 1988 hit “Just Got Paid,” has died, according to The Bahamas Weekly. He was 55.
Kemp died Thursday (April 16) after falling and hitting his head while on the Tom Joyner Morning Cruise, according to The Root.
However, there are conflicting reports that he died after falling on rocks on the beach in Jamaica. Reportedly he was to join the cruise in Jamaica. Beyond that, details are still sketchy as to what exactly happened.

Read more at http://www.eurweb.com/2015/04/report-johnny-kemp-dies-after-fall-during-tom-joyner-cruise/#Jhr8emlP0fFC3ATg.99

REAL WOMAN! (LHHNY) Tara Wallace Supporting Amina Buddafly New CD!

In the real world a real Woman does real things. Praise to Love and Hip Hop Star Tara Wallace in supporting Amina Buddafly new CD. With all she been through one would not have expected this, but knowing how Tara is as a mature woman she stepped up ad did what her heart directed her to do.
Here is her posted from her Instagram

Room for us all to #WIN. So #WHEN u get a sec download on iTunes. #HER #Music #LHHNY @aminabuddafly #aminabuddafly  

 Visit http://www.tarawallace.net

Follow Tara On IG @https://instagram.com/iamtarawallace/  

 

 

VIDEO Suburban Detroit Police Fire Officer Seen Beating Black Motorist

 INKSTER, Mich. (AP) — Police in suburban Detroit have fired a white police officer who was videotaped beating a black motorist during a traffic stop.
Teamsters Local 214 representative Al Lewis tells MLive.com that Inkster police fired Officer William Melendez on Wednesday.
The January arrest of 57-year-old Floyd Dent has drawn widespread protests.
Wayne County Circuit Judge David Groner said Wednesday that Dent's lawyers could receive 12 more minutes of dash cam video. Defense lawyer Nick Bennett says he saw only highly edited video.
The video shows two officers throwing Dent to the ground and Melendez repeatedly punching him in the head.
Police say Dent refused to stop and had cocaine in the car.
Dent says police planted the cocaine. He returns to court April 29 on a drug charge.

Happy B-Day To The Founding Father of Hip Hop Clive "Kool Herc' Campbell

Clive Campbell (born 16 April 1955), also known as Kool Herc, DJ Kool Herc and Kool DJ Herc, is a Jamaican-born American DJ who is credited with originating Hip Hop music in the early 1970s in The Bronx, New York City. His playing of hard funk records of the sort typified by James Brown was an alternative both to the violent gang culture of the Bronx and to the nascent popularity of disco in the 1970s. Campbell began to isolate the instrumental portion of the record, which emphasised the drum beat—the “break”—and switch from one break to another.
Using the same two turntable set-up of disco DJs, Campbell used two copies of the same record to elongate the break. This breakbeat DJing, using hard funk and records with Latin percussion, formed the basis of Hip Hop music. Campbell’s announcements and exhortations to dancers helped lead to the syncopated, rhymed spoken accompaniment now known as rapping. He called his dancers “break-boys” and “break-girls”, or simply b-boys and b-girls. Campbell’s DJ style was quickly taken up by figures such as Afrika Bambaataa and Grandmaster Flash. Unlike them, he never made the move into commercially recorded Hip Hop in its earliest years.

Foe more on Hip Hop History visit http://todayinhiphophistory.com/2015/04/16/april-16-1955-born-day-dj-kool-herc/